Coca-Cola, partners set aside P1B for recycling facility in PHL

Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc., on Friday announced its plans to invest in a 1-billion peso food-grade recycling facility in the Philippines in a bid to boost recycling in the country.

In a statement, Coca-Cola said this was the company’s first major investment in a recycling facility in Southeast Asia and part of its commitment to a “World Without Waste.”

The soft drinks bottler said it has engaged in discussions with potential partners, including a reputable local company and an internationally-recognized green technology partner in recycling to ensure that the positive impact of the facility will be total and far-reaching.

Anchored on the circular economy concept, the recycling facility will collect, sort, clean and wash post-consumer PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles and turn them into new bottles using advanced technology, Coca-Cola said.

“Coca-Cola has called the Philippines its home for 107 years and counting, and we want to do our part in ensuring sustainability within its shores,” Gareth McGeown, president and CEO of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc., said.

“Our Coca-Cola bottles and cans are 100% recyclable and have value as a recycled material. Our aspiration with this facility is to close the loop on our packaging by helping turn old bottles into new ones. This facility is testament to our resolve in making our World Without Waste vision a reality across the country, with real positive impact not just across our value chain, but also in the communities where we belong,” McGeown said.

Once established, the recycling facility is expected to contribute to the improvement of PET collection and recycling rates in the Philippines—and, with this, the generation of more Filipino jobs.

The project will also help uplift the livelihood of workers across the waste materials value chain, including that of waste-pickers and waste-collectors. Through job creation and the institutionalization of environmentally conscious practices, this recycling facility will help build stronger communities.

The project is an integral part of “World Without Waste” – Coca-Cola’s global commitment to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle and can it sells by 2030.

The company also intends to use an average of 50% recycled content in its packaging including its PET bottles.

Coca-Cola said its roadmap to making its vision come to reality will be launched on June 11, 2019 in Paranaque City. —NB, GMA News