Coca-Cola India launches 100% recycled PET bottles for soft drinks

Coca-Cola India introduced 250 ml and 750 ml Coca-Cola bottles made from 100% recycled PET, produced with Moon Beverages and SLMG Beverages. The move supports India's circular-economy and plastic-waste goals as regulators approve recycled PET for food packaging.

Coca-Cola India introduced Coca-Cola in 100% recycled PET (rPET) bottles in 250 ml and 750 ml capacities, following its earlier one-litre rPET launch for the Kinley water brand. Crafted from 100% food-grade rPET (excluding caps and labels), the bottles carry a 'Recycle Me Again' message and are produced with bottling partners Moon Beverages Ltd. and SLMG Beverages Ltd. The rPET is processed under technologies approved by the US FDA and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), reducing reliance on virgin plastic.

The Indian food and beverage and packaging sectors are directly affected, alongside bottling partners and recyclers. Regulatory bodies in India, including the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Bureau of Indian Standards, have approved recycled PET use in food packaging, facilitating recycled plastics in the industry. The initiative aligns with Coca-Cola's 'World Without Waste' objective of making bottles with 50% recycled content by 2030, now offering 100% rPET bottles in more than 40 markets.

Indian FMCG and beverage companies should monitor regulatory approvals from FSSAI, the Bureau of Indian Standards and the environment ministry that now permit recycled PET in food packaging, enabling circular-economy packaging strategies. Coca-Cola's collection efforts include drop-off points, Reverse Vending Machines and a 'Return and Recycle' program with Zepto ensuring full traceability. Companies can track targets including 100% recyclable packaging by 2025 and ASSP technology that reduces plastic use in 250 ml bottles by up to 40%.

Key figure — Recycled content target: 50% recycled content in bottles by 2030 ('World Without Waste')