Sustainable Materials*¹ Used in PET Bottles in the Domestic Soft Drinks Business
Initiative for "Bottle-to-Bottle"
We have introduced 100% recycled PET bottles in in 4 brands and 38 products*² including flagship products such as Coca-Cola.These bottles are a product of our "Bottle-to-Bottle" initiative, in which we collect used PET bottles and make them into new ones to make full use of our resources.
*¹ Sustainable materials refer to the total bottle-to-bottle recycled PET materials and plant-derived PET materials
*² The Coca-Cola system in Japan performance in Japan as of December 2023.
emissions
by approximately 60%*
per bottle
*When switching from regular PET bottles to bottles with 100% recycled PET materials
I LOHAS Tennensui 100% Recycled PET Bottles
"Bottle to Bottle" where we recycle PET bottles as resources
The bottles of I LOHAS Tennensui in the past contained 30% of recycled PET material.
However, in March 2020, we successfully launched I LOHAS Tennensui in "100% recycled bottles" on the largest scale in Japan*² by working with our partner companies and implementing technologies with challenging requirements that improved the transparency of recycled PET bottles by 30%.
*¹ Sustainable materials refer to the total bottle-to-bottle recycled PET materials and plant-derived PET materials
*² Comparison with the conventional 555ml of I LOHAS Tennensui
Initiatives for Labelless Bottles
I LOHAS Tennensui
A first for the Coca-Cola System - Environment friendly labelless bottles that are easy to sort
I LOHAS Tennensui Labelless launched in April 2020 eliminates the need to remove labels and makes it easier to sort waste. It is an environment friendly product which uses 100% recycled PET bottles for the package. This product is sold only in cases (online sales, etc.) The sale of the labelless bottle was made possible by printing the legally-required information such as raw materials, etc. (normally printed on the drink label) on the exterior of the cardboard.
Furthermore, a "complete Labelless product" that omits the identification mark on the label seal was realized, in line with revisions to the "Act on the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources for Labeling of PET Bottles" in April 2020. The amendment aims to promote the reduction of waste (reuse) and to eliminate consumers' need to separate label seals. This makes it easier to recover used PET bottles in a state suitable for recycling.
Other Product Lineups
Our label-less product range, which debuted in April 2020 with I Lohas, natural mineral water, now comprises 59 products across eight brands, including Coca-Cola, Aquarius, Ayataka, Canada Dry, Georgia, Karada Sukoyakacha, and Sokenbicha tea. We plan to continue expanding these offerings.
Reduced Volume of Plastics
Packaging Lightweighting
Since 1970, the Coca-Cola System has been committed to making effective use of limited resources and reducing the weight of packages in order to reduce the amount of plastics. Our representative development includes "Eco-ru bottle shiboru" and "Pekoraku bottles" that are easy to crush and easy to pour. We are also aiming to reduce the usage amount of PET resin per bottle by 35% between 2004 and 2030.
From spring 2021, the packaging weight of 700ml Coca-Cola PET bottles reduced from 42g to 27g. In addition, in April 2022, Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 100% recycled 350ml PET bottles, 2g lighter than the conventional labelless bottles of the same size (bottle weight 21g).
And others, we initiative that reduced the weight of Georgia Japan Craftman 500ml PET bottles from 19.5g to 17g, and Costa Coffee 265ml PET from 29.5g to 18.5g.
* Packaging for water was 500ml up till 2010
* The weight of the can is calculated by the weight of the can body and the can lid
New Production of Georgia Using the World’s Lightest* Can for a 185g Beverage
In August 2024, the Coca-Cola System began producing Georgia canned beverages at Ibaraki and Saitama plants using the world’s lightest* aluminum cans designed for a 185g beverage.
The can body weight has been reduced from 7.0 to 6.1g - a 13% decrease compared to conventional aluminum cans of the same capacity. We are working to realize a sustainable society by conserving resources and reducing container weights as outlined by the Coca-Cola System in Japan.
* Based on studies by Toyo Seikan Co., Ltd. as of August 2024, for an empty 190 ml 202-diameter Stay-On Tab (SOT) can body, excluding laminate film and can lid.
Introduction of Sustainable Packaging
Ecoru Shiboru Bottle
We have introduced packaging like the ecoru shiboru bottle, which is easy to twist and flatten after drinking, to reduce both environmental impact and energy use.
Environmentally Friendly Materials
We are driving the use of consumer materials that are kind to the environment.
We promote the use of paper cups, straws, and newly introduced paper lids which had previously been plastic. We will push the further use of paper materials to reduce plastic consumption.
Collaborative Initiatives with Stakeholders
Expanding the CAN to CAN initiative, a horizontal recycling scheme from collection to recycling of used aluminum cans
The CAN to CAN initiative uses recycled aluminum material from used cans collected from recycling boxes next to our vending machines and recycles them into containers. In December 2022, we began manufacturing three products, Georgia Kaoru Black 400ml, Georgia Kaoru Bito 370ml, and Bonaqua (Nansui) 400ml, using recycled aluminum for the can bodies obtained through the CAN to CAN initiative.
In April 2024, we expanded this practice to include the can caps, using 100% recycled aluminum for both the can bodies and caps of the cans, while maintaining the existing performance standards for opening and sealing. This change will reduce CO2 emissions by about 12%, increasing the reduction per can from 12% to approximately 37%*¹. By doing so, we are contributing to a reduced environmental impact.
*¹ Compared to the amount of CO2 generated in the process of manufacturing conventional 400ml aluminum bottles. Based on research by Altemira Co., Ltd., a supplier of aluminum bottle cans.
Joint Project to Recycle PET Raw Material with Far Eastern New Century (Taiwan)
CCBJI started a joint project with Far Eastern New Century Corporation, one of the world's largest manufacturers of PET resin and polyester fibers, based in Taiwan, to commercialize PET bottles using recycled PET raw materials through chemical recycling. This project aims to carry out pilot sales of PET-bottled product using recycled PET raw materials in some of our sales areas by the end of the year and expand opportunities to leverage this PET raw material at commercial scale in several years.
Developed of Chemically Recycled Shrink Labels
We have jointly developed shrink labels with Fuji Seal and Toyobo that partly use PET resin recycled from reject labels in the manufacturing process.* This was achieved through a chemical recycling process developed by the Far Eastern New Century Corporation of Taiwan. Pilot sales of the PET bottle products using these labels are ongoing.
* Labels discarded in the process of shrink label production