Coca-Cola's Australian arm will use 100 per cent recycled plastic for the packaging of frozen drinks from next year and do away with polystyrene.
Millions of frozen Coke and Fanta drinks are served at convenience stores each year using plastic that can't be re-used and can be hazardous to the environment.
However, Coca-Cola Amatil will soon ensure that 100 per cent recycled plastic is used, as it did last year for bottles of less than one litre. It has also removed plastic straws and stirrers from its line of beverages.
Coca-Cola South Pacific sustainability director Russell Mahoney said Australians consumed many frozen drinks compared to other parts of the world, which contributed to the decision.
The decision only applies to frozen drink packaging for Australia, and not the other Asia Pacific countries Coca-Cola Amatil serves.
The change will reduce the company's use of virgin plastic by 40,000 tonnes by the end of next year.
Bottles larger than one litre are still made from a type of `virgin plastic', polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Mr Mahoney said there was currently not enough recycled plastic produced in Australia to meet all its packaging requirements.
"We still buy virgin plastic, but we're buying a reduced amount," he said.
The Australian arm of Coke has already made news this week after the European division of the business offered to buy its Aussie equivalent.
Management has recommended shareholders accept the offer.
Australian Associated Press
