Polluting giants Coca-Cola and others to switch to plant-based bottles that break down within a year

Coca-Cola has been named the world's largest plastic polluter for the last two years, by the non-profit environmental group, Break Free from Plastic. The group had over 72,000 volunteers from 51 countries collect plastic waste in September. It now seems that Coca-Cola have taken this research on board, and are now switching to plant based bottles which will break down within a year.

With plastic pollution figures now at an all time high, with research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimating that eight million metric tons of plastic finds it way into the oceans every year. The Paper Bottle Company wants to help manufacturers and distributors reduce single-use plastic waste, creating bottles that are made from degradable plant sugars. BillerudKorsnäs, a Swedish pulp and paper manufacturer has teamed up with research companies and industry leaders such as ALPLA and Avantium for the project. The project announced in October that Coca-Cola, Absolut, and L'Oreal will be joining.

Carlsberg have been a long-time partner of the Paper Bottle Project, explaining in a press release that they "are working on developing the world’s first ‘paper’ beer bottle made from sustainably-sourced wood fibres that is both 100% bio-based and fully recyclable.” Following this the brewing company unveiled their first paper bottle for their Pilsner beer. The paper bottles are made from plant-based polymer called PEF, and naturally degrade within a year.

The drive towards eliminating single-use plastics follows from last year's momentum to reduce plastic straws and carrier bags in many countries and corporations around the world. The global community is taking responsibility for the growing environmental waste problem, using innovation to help ensure we have a healthy and bright Earth for the future.