'Dari Botol Jadi Botol' — Coca-Cola Is Now Using 100% Recycled Plastic Bottles In Malaysia

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This Spotlight is sponsored by Coca-Cola.

But wait, what are 100% rPET plastic bottles?

100% rPET plastic is a food-safe raw material made from empty PET packaging that has been collected and prepared for recycling. Essentially, Coca-Cola's 100% rPET plastic bottles are made from old PET plastic — they are part of a closed material cycle.

With this latest update, the brand's Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and Coca-Cola Vanilla 500ml bottles in Malaysia are now made with 100% rPET plastic bottles (excluding caps and labels).

The bottles also maintain the high quality consumers expect, adhering to The Coca-Cola Company's stringent global standards. Additionally, they are halal-certified by the Halal Inspection Body, recognised by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM).

Kirsten van Zandwijk, Director of Sustainability & Partnerships for ASEAN & South Pacific at The Coca-Cola Company, said that the company is committed to building a circular economy in the country by introducing innovative packaging designs like these 100% recycled plastic bottles.

"We are also expanding collection and recycling programs and deepening stakeholder and industry partnerships. Leveraging the Coca-Cola brand's influence and reach, we actively engage Malaysian consumers in recycling initiatives, encouraging them to embrace the concept that every bottle can transform and contribute to a sustainable future," shared Zandwijk.

Additionally, this step forward coincides with The Coca-Cola Company's global sustainable packaging strategy, aiming to use at least 50% recycled content in its packaging by 2030 globally.

Khairul Anwar Ab. Gahani, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability Director, Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei of Coca-Cola Bottlers Malaysia added that the company recognises the critical role businesses play in fostering positive change.

"Our goal is to continue utilising recycled materials, contributing significantly to Malaysia's environmental objectives," he said.

Together with its bottling arms, Coca-Cola Bottlers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Coca-Cola is driving innovations in packaging and enhancing collection recycling capacity in Malaysia.

Each 100% rPET bottle comes from the Coca-Cola bottling plant at Bandar Enstek, Negeri Sembilan, proudly symbolising its Malaysian origin. This commitment echoes Coca-Cola's dedication to sustainability and reflects that these bottles are 'made in Malaysia, by Malaysians, for Malaysians.'

You'll also find that these bottles prominently feature the slogan 'Dari Botol Jadi Botol' to signify the transformative journey each bottle has taken.

The sustainability initiative, in collaboration with AEON Malaysia, Hiroyuki Industries, and Trash4Cash, intends to promote public awareness around the value of recycling.

Consumers are encouraged to collect PET bottles in exchange for cash rewards based on their contributions. For every 10 bottles deposited, participants are eligible for a RM0.10 Trash4Cash buy-back incentive, complemented by Coca-Cola products. Consumers can scan the QR code on the Smart Recycle Bin to provide their details, facilitating a seamless and efficient experience for all participants.

This year, Coca-Cola Malaysia and its partners are expanding their efforts to 15 AEON malls across five states – Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Johor. Collected bottles are then transported to the leading recycler, Hiroyuki Industries, where they undergo a process to be transformed into another bottle at a later stage.

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