Coca-Cola welcomes recycling test at Olympics ahead of UK deposit return scheme

Coca-Cola said the trial of a closed-loop recycling system at the Paris Olympics was a “valuable” test ahead of the introduction of a long-awaited deposit return scheme (DRS) in the UK in 2027.

The drinks giant tested a system in which some bottles are collected and recycled during the Olympic Games for reuse at the Paralympics.

A Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) facility 15 kilometers outside Paris played a key role in reducing the usual recycling cycle for some bottles used during the Games from four months to less than four weeks.

Coca-Cola, which has been involved in the Olympic Games since Amsterdam 1928, also installed 700 refillable beverage dispensers, provided reusable glass and plastic bottles made from recycled material (without caps and labels) and served drinks in reusable cups provided by Paris 2024.

The move is in line with the “World Without Waste” goal, which is to collect and recycle one bottle or can for every one sold by 2030.

The company said the scale and complexity of the Olympic and Paralympic Games presented a unique opportunity to test solutions for packaging waste, taking into account the lessons learned in Paris and comparing them with other closed-loop models, such as the DRS recently launched in Ireland.

While the DRS will be different from Paris 2024 – where plastic bottles and deposit cups were collected elsewhere rather than consumers returning their empty drinks containers via reverse vending machines in grocery stores – Coca-Cola said it supported trialling different systems as collection rates in the UK stagnated.

At the European Championships in July, which were also sponsored by Coca-Cola, CCEP introduced a cup deposit system where spectators had to pay two euros for their cup, which was refunded when they returned it.

The trophies remained in circulation in the stadiums throughout the tournament.

In the run-up to the Olympic Games, more than 100 sports organizations and athletes from around the world called on Coca-Cola, Pepsi and CCEP to reduce plastic pollution by increasing the use of reusable packaging.

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The 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the largest sporting events where drinks will be served in reusable packaging, potentially replacing millions of single-use plastic cups.

Wouter Vermeulen, Vice President of Sustainability and Public Policy at Coca-Cola in Europe, said: “Packaging accounts for around 30% of greenhouse gas emissions.

“We support DRS in Europe because we need to drive collection forward. We don't want our bottles to become shampoo bottles or car mats. That's why we want closed recycling.”

Since February 1, Ireland's DRS has been encouraging customers to “bring back” their products in supermarkets and smaller shops from Dublin to Cork. Almost 2,000 reverse vending machines have been installed in supermarkets and petrol stations.

Buyers pay a deposit of 15 to 25 cents on plastic bottles, which is refunded in the form of food and drink vouchers or in cash.

Labour recently confirmed its plans to introduce a DRS in the UK before October 2027.

Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said: “The Government is committed to creating a roadmap to a zero-waste economy – a future where we use our resources for longer, produce less waste, accelerate the path to carbon neutral businesses, invest in critical infrastructure and green jobs, our economy thrives and nature thrives.”

“We are reviewing the range of packaging reforms and will work with our partners in devolved governments, industry and other stakeholders to determine the next steps for the deposit return system.”

Jim Bligh, director of corporate affairs and packaging at the Food and Drink Federation, said: “It is good to see the Government committing to introducing a deposit return scheme as part of its circular economy plans.

“This will allow beverage containers to be recycled and reused more efficiently and easily, which is good news for the environment, businesses and consumers.”

“It is vital that the UK governments now work closely together to ensure the system is easy to use and understand, and operates under the same rules and with the same designations across all four countries.

“A consistent, nationwide approach is the best way to ensure value for money and increase the UK’s disappointing recycling rates.”