Sprite to completely phase out its iconic green plastic bottles

IMAGE – COCA-COLA

The Coca-Cola company has officially announced that starting August 1, Sprite will completely phase out its iconic green plastic bottles in order to “increase the material’s likelihood of being remade into new beverage bottles”, Coca-Cola said in a statement on Wednesday.

The bottles have been used for more than six decades.

The changes will take place in U.S. and Canada, and by the end of the year, over 70 markets will have made the switch as well.

The emerald green hues will still remain on Sprite’s labels alongside large “Recycle Me” messaging.

Taking colors out of bottles improves the quality of the recycled material,” Julian Ochoa, CEO of R3cycle, one of the recycling companies working with Coca-Cola, said in an announcement. “This transition will help increase the availability of food-grade rPET. When recycled, clear PET Sprite bottles can be remade into bottles, helping drive a circular economy for plastic.”

The initiative is part of Coca-Cola’s “World Without Waste” vision that looks to make 100% of their packaging recyclable by 2025 and to have more than 25 percent of their drinks sold in refillable or returnable packaging by 2030.