Sprite has replaced its green bottle with a transparent white one, citing environmental concerns
The iconic green bottle of Sprite, which has been in use for more than 60 years, is being phased out in favour of a more environmentally friendly clear container.
“Support a circular economy for plastic packaging,” the Coca-Cola Co.—Sprite’s parent company—said in a statement issued on Wednesday. The new design will go into effect on August 1
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the current green plastic, which is commonly used to make carpets and garments.
Clear plastic is supposed to be easier to recycle than green plastic, according to the manufacturer, for the production of new bottles.
“When recycled, clear PET Sprite bottles can be remade into [new] bottles, helping drive a circular economy for plastic,” Coke Consolidated has worked with R3CYCLE, the recycling company that Ochoa is the CEO of. “It is a great partnership,” Ochoa added.
Sprite’s cans and packaging will remain green, but the company’s logo will be updated.
Since its inception in the United States in 1961, the lemon-lime soft drink has been bottled in green. According to Coke, the beverage is one of the company’s most popular offerings.
“A circular economy for plastic packaging,” as Coke put it, would benefit from the company’s switch to clear plastic bottles.
Sprite has already made the switch to clear plastic bottles in some overseas markets, along with new flavours including cherry and sugar-free.
Another Coca-Cola product, Dasani water, will be constructed of 100% recycled PET plastic. According to the statement, the new policy would minimise plastic trash by 20 million pounds compared to what was used in 2019.