Serving sustainability: Coca-Cola North America's push for reusable packaging

Coca-Cola North America is taking bold steps towards its World Without Waste sustainable packaging goal.

By 2030, The Coca-Cola Company aims to have 25% of its global product volume served in reusable packaging. In North America, they are ramping up reusable packaging pilots to reduce single-use waste and limit the use of new materials.

The company is accelerating its test-learn-scale approach with various initiatives, including a partnership with r.Cup to introduce reusable cup solutions in major sports venues, cinemas, festivals, and events in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, and Washington, D.C. The durable polypropylene cups are collected, washed, sanitised, and reused, creating a more premium drinking experience. r.Cup also supports local communities by creating jobs for second chance workers and military veterans while contributing to local nonprofits tackling packaging waste.

Coca-Cola North America is also exploring returnable glass bottle pilots, reusable cups with microchip and QR-enabled technology for Coca-Cola Freestyle machines, exchangeable cup programs, and encouraging transitions to reusable fountain cups with partners like A&W Canada and Reuse Seattle.

Anton van Zyl, Director of Sustainable Packaging Strategy, Coca‑Cola North America, said: We are working across our supply chain to reduce our environmental impact and ensure all of our packaging has value in the circular economy. We're growing reusable cup programs in partnership with our foodservice and on-premise customers. Partnering with innovators like r.Cup is one such example where through pilots we are experimenting, learning and expanding the options for our consumers to enjoy our beverages in reusable packaging.

Through these innovative efforts, Coca-Cola North America is working to make a positive impact on the environment and promote a circular economy for packaging.