Coke: We can have a world with no litter

COCA- COLA yesterday announced plans to collect and recycle all bottles, cans and packaging. The head of the drinks firm declared a litterfree world was possible, adding: ‘Bottles and cans shouldn’t harm our planet.’

Just two years ago Coca-Cola made plans to ‘ fight back’ against increased plastic bottle collection and recycling targets. It said it ‘ could reduce our net operating revenues and profitability’.

A year ago it reversed its opposition and announced it would increase the amount of recycled plastic in its bottles from 25 per cent to 40 per cent by 2020. Now it is going even further with a goal to help collect and recycle the equivalent of 100 per cent of its packaging by 2030.

James Quincey, Coca-Cola’s chief executive, said: ‘The world has a packaging problem – and, like all companies, we have a responsibility to help solve it.

‘We are investing in our planet and our packaging to help make this problem a thing of the past.

‘Companies like ours must be leaders. Consumers around the world care about our planet, and they want and expect companies to take action.’

Coca-Cola will work in partnership with bodies including the World Wildlife Fund.