Working towards a waste free South Africa
After months of research, planning, and testing, The Coca‑Cola Company in South Africa launched a water bottle made entirely from recycled plastic (100% rPET) for the Bonaqua brand.
After months of research, planning, and testing, The Coca‑Cola Company in South Africa launched a water bottle made entirely from recycled plastic (100% rPET) for the Bonaqua brand. This is a first for the South African market, and it forms part of Coca‑Cola’s ambitious global goal to create a World Without Waste by collecting and recycling 100% of all cans and bottles produced by 2030.
Packaging globally is continually evolving to produce products that are better for the planet and businesses as a whole. In South Africa, Coca- Cola has leveraged its cutting-edge technology to produce Bonaqua plastic bottles that are lighter weight, recyclable and more sustainable. The Bonaqua 500ml 100% rPET bottle is an example of package that utilises a truly circular economy from the way it is sourced to how it is produced and ultimately repurposed after use.
“To fulfil our World Without Waste vision, we need to continue our work with collectors and recyclers to maintain the growth in collection and recycling of PET beverage bottles. The world has a packaging problem and all companies have a responsibility to help solve it,” said Luis Avellar, General Manager SA Franchise, The Coca‑Cola Company.
Bonaqua’s 100% rPET bottle demonstrates that with innovative technology and a commitment to finding the ‘worth within waste’, packaging can be designed to hold beverages as sensitive as bottled water. It also demonstrates that the Coca- Cola Company’s goal to include 25% RPET in all of its products by 2025 is indeed technically possible.
“Through our World Without Waste vision, we are investing in our planet and our packaging, so that every bottle and can has more than one life. It may look the same as any other beverage packaging, however, no new plastic has been used in the creation of the bottle,” explains Avellar.
The Company’s World Without Waste goal seeks to (i) design better bottles, whether through more recycled content or by reducing the amount of plastic in each container; (ii) collect packaging from places where it shouldn’t belong by working with bottling partners, local communities, industry partners, customers and consumers; and (iii) help to educate and raise awareness of what, how and where to recycle.
The RPET resin used in the 100% Bonaqua RPET bottle is supplied by Extrupet (Pty) Ltd. - a Coca‑Cola approved supplier of food grade RPET resin- and is the largest and most advanced recycler of PET bottles on the African continent. Through a distinctive process and adherence to Coca‑Cola and international standards, Extrupet is able to produce a resin that meets food safety standards and compares favourably with the quality of virgin PET material.
Available in stores from December, consumers can enjoy the same great taste of Bonaqua water, with the benefit of knowing they are doing their bit to benefit the planet.