Sprite is retiring its green plastic bottles after more than 60 years.
Coca-Cola said Wednesday it’s changing the packaging from green to clear plastic beginning August 1 as part of broader efforts to become more environmentally responsible. Sprite’s current plastic contains green polyethylene terephthalate (PET), an additive that can’t be recycled into new bottles, a key initiative for the company as it looks to reduce plastic waste.
“Taking colors out of bottles improves the quality of the recycled material,” Julian Ochoa, CEO of R3CYCLE, a plastic group helping Coca-Cola improve its recycling, said in a statement. “When recycled, clear PET Sprite bottles can be remade into bottles, helping drive a circular economy for plastic.”
The new Sprite bottle.
Customers will also notice a revamped logo and packaging design on the Sprite bottles that aims to provide a more “consistent look and voice around the world,” the company said. The well-known green hue will still be used on Sprite labels.
Other beverages that use green bottles in Coke’s portfolio, including Fresca, Seagram’s and Mello Yello, will also be replaced with clear containers in the coming months.
Coca-Cola (KO) reported higher-than-expected second-quarter earnings Tuesday, citing strong demand, and lifted its revenue forecast for the full year.