Coca-Cola in u-turn over plastic bottle deposit scheme

Coca-Cola has reversed its opposition to a deposit return scheme for drinks bottles following a Greenpeace investigation.

Internal Coca-Cola documents, requested by Greenpeace and given exclusively to Sky News, revealed that the company had resolved to "fight back" against an introduction of a scheme whereby customers would return drinks bottles and cans in return for a deposit.

A deposit return scheme (DRS) is supported by a range of environmental campaigners, who believe it will reduce littering and increase recycling.

They have accused Coca-Cola of resisting its introduction because of increased costs and logistics.

A DRS is currently being examined by the Scottish Government with a view to its re-introduction.

So far, Coca-Cola has been joined in its opposition to it by a number of big drinks companies.

However, in a major policy shift, Coca-Cola in the UK says it now supports the introduction of a DRS in Scotland.

A Coca-Cola spokesperson told Sky News: "Our sustainable packaging review is ongoing, but it's already clear from our conversations with experts that the time is right to trial new interventions such as a well-designed deposit return scheme for drinks containers, starting in Scotland where conversations are underway.

"We've also been talking to and listening to our consumers and know two thirds (63%) of them support the introduction of a deposit return system in the UK, and half (51%) say they'd be more likely to recycle as a result.

"From our experience elsewhere in Europe, we know that deposit schemes can work if they are developed as part of an overall strategy on the circular economy, in collaboration with all industry stakeholders.

"We are open to exploring any well-thought-through initiative that has the potential to increase recycling and reduce litter.

"We expect to publish the results of the review and our new sustainable packaging strategy in the summer and remain fully committed to finding new ways to minimise the materials we use; reduce waste; and work with others to improve recycling rates across Great Britain."

Louise Edge, senior oceans campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said:

"Following Greenpeace's investigation into Coca-Cola's lobbying against bottle deposit schemes, we absolutely welcome this change of heart. Deposit schemes, which have growing support amongst the public, politicians and industry, can play a key role in reducing the amount of plastic which ends up in our oceans and in landfill.

"But with up to 12 million tonnes of plastic entering the sea every year, the bigger challenge which companies need to step up to, especially leading brands like Coke, is drastically reducing their plastic footprint.

"Companies like Coca-Cola must have ambitious plans for 100% recycled content and move away from the era of single-use, disposable, plastic. Only by these companies taking responsibility for the end life of the bottles they sell, will we close the loop on the 16 million plastic bottles which are dumped every day in the UK, and go on to pollute our beaches, land and sea".

The announcement has been welcomed by Richard Lochhead MSP, who until recently was Scotland's Environment Secretary overseeing the DRS debate.

He said: "This change of heart by the world's biggest soft drink company is a very welcome and highly significant development in the campaign to introduce deposit and return schemes for drinks containers to improve recycling and tackle litter.

"It is refreshing that such a major player in the industry is willing to change its mind after looking at how such schemes work in countries around the world.

"This injects momentum and credibility into the debate in Scotland and we can lead the UK on this issue and this helps brings the introduction of such a transformative policy a big step closer.

"The Scottish Government and indeed Governments throughout the UK and beyond will no doubt sit up and take notice.

"Now that Coca Cola accept that deposit and return schemes are the real thing hopefully other drinks companies will follow their example."