r-PET Bottle – Coca-Cola’s Investment in Recycled PET in Chile 07-10-2024

Coca-Cola’s Investment in Recycled PET in Chile

Coca-Cola Andina and Coca-Cola Embonor, the two primary bottlers for Coca-Cola in Chile, have announced a significant initiative to recycle 350 million plastic bottles annually. This effort is part of their broader commitment to sustainability and involves the construction of a state-of-the-art recycling facility named Re-Ciclar, which will produce 100% recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin. This recycled material will be used in beverage packaging for Coca-Cola products in Chile. r-PET Bottle

Overview of the Re-Ciclar Facility

The Re-Ciclar plant represents a $35 million investment, developed in partnership between Coca-Cola Andina and Coca-Cola Embonor. The facility, which spans 8,000 square meters, is located in the Lampa commune, within the metropolitan region of Santiago. Matías Mackenna, general manager of Re-Ciclar, explained that while both bottling companies have joint ownership of the plant, daily operations are overseen by an independent management team hired specifically for the facility.

“The operational management is led by a general manager and a dedicated team, which ensures efficient task distribution and smooth functioning of the plant,” Mackenna said. This structure allows the plant to operate independently while maintaining the partnership between the two companies. r-PET Bottle

Coca-Cola’s First Food-Grade Recycled PET in Chile

The Re-Ciclar facility will be Coca-Cola’s first in Chile to produce beverage packaging using recycled, food-grade PET resin. This recycled material will be incorporated into all Coca-Cola beverage bottles in the country starting in 2025, with an initial goal of having 15% of each bottle made from recycled PET. Over time, Coca-Cola aims to increase this percentage, eventually reaching 100% recycled bottles.

Coca-Cola’s global commitment to sustainability has already seen similar efforts in other countries. In Latin America, Re-Ciclar joins two other Coca-Cola-operated recycling plants, located in Mexico and Paraguay. In Paraguay, for example, Coca-Cola Paresa, in collaboration with INPET and CORESA, operates a circular PET plant that has contributed to the company’s recycling goals. Re-Ciclar, however, is considered the most advanced facility in the region. r-PET Bottle

Expanding Sustainability Efforts Across Latin America

Coca-Cola’s sustainability director for Chile, Paola Calorio, emphasized the importance of this new facility in the company’s broader Latin American recycling initiatives. According to her, Coca-Cola already uses various percentages of recycled PET in its containers across the continent. In Bolivia and Argentina, for instance, some bottles are made entirely from 100% recycled PET.

Calorio also pointed out that Coca-Cola’s long-term goal is to reduce its reliance on virgin plastic and increase the use of recycled materials. The company’s investments in new recycling infrastructure like Re-Ciclar are critical to achieving this vision. “Re-Ciclar is the most modern bottle recycling operation in Latin America, and it will help us significantly reduce our environmental footprint in the region,” she added. r-PET Bottle

Collecting and Processing PET Bottles

In 2024, Coca-Cola Andina and Coca-Cola Embonor aim to collect approximately 10,000 metric tons of PET bottles for recycling. To achieve this target, they have partnered with various organizations across Chile, including the National Association of Recyclers of Chile, Latitud R, and The Possible City. These groups play a crucial role in the recycling supply chain, as they manage the collection, storage, and delivery of PET materials to the Re-Ciclar facility.

The recycling process at Re-Ciclar begins with the collection of plastic bottles by local recycling organizations. Once the bottles are delivered to the plant, they undergo a rigorous cleaning and sorting process. Afterward, the bottles are crushed into small flakes, which are then subjected to extrusion, crystallization, and post-condensation processes. These steps help restore the physical and chemical properties of PET, transforming the flakes into high-quality recycled resin pellets that can be used to manufacture new beverage containers. r-PET Bottle

Coca-Cola’s Broader Sustainability Vision

The establishment of Re-Ciclar aligns with Coca-Cola’s global sustainability goals, which include reducing waste, promoting recycling, and minimizing the environmental impact of its packaging. The company has committed to using at least 50% recycled material in its packaging by 2030 and is working toward achieving a “World Without Waste,” a vision that focuses on collecting and recycling every bottle or can it sells by 2030.

The Re-Ciclar facility in Chile is a significant step toward realizing this vision in Latin America. By investing in modern recycling technologies and building strong partnerships with local organizations, Coca-Cola is demonstrating its commitment to driving sustainable practices and reducing its environmental footprint in the region.

In conclusion, Coca-Cola’s investment in recycled PET in Chile highlights its dedication to sustainability and innovation. Through the Re-Ciclar plant, the company is not only advancing its recycling capabilities but also fostering a more circular economy, where materials are reused rather than discarded. This initiative will help Coca-Cola meet its ambitious environmental goals and set a new standard for beverage packaging in Chile and beyond. r-PET Bottle