Coca-Cola Canada launches innovative "PlantBottle(TM)"

All Sparkling Soft Drinks and DASANI Served in PlantBottle at Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

CALGARY , Nov. 16 /CNW/ - Coca-Cola Canada (Ltd.) announced today that the innovative PlantBottle packaging will be featured throughout the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, joining other select markets in the initial global launch of this partially plant-based PET plastic. The "PlantBottle" package will be the primary beverage product package used during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

PlantBottle(TM) packaging is a PET plastic package made with up to 30 percent of its material derived from plant based waste material. This redesigned plastic package represents a significant step in the journey to becoming the future of recyclable bottles. Using plant-based material to replace a portion of the petroleum used in PET plastic allows The Coca-Cola Company and in Canada , Coca-Cola Ltd to reduce our use of non-renewable resources. Plantbottle package is 100 percent recyclable, by design.

"Our PlantBottle will be in the spotlight for the Olympic Games, introducing this innovative packaging to a global audience," said Nikos Koumettis, President Coca-Cola Canada . "The Coca-Cola Company has become the first-to-market with a recyclable PET plastic bottle made partially from plants, and we are excited that Canada is part of this major step in our journey towards sustainable packaging "

PlantBottle packaging currently is made through a process that turns sugar cane and molasses, a by-product of sugar production, into a key component for PET plastic. The sugar cane being used comes from predominantly rain-fed crops that were processed into ethanol, not refined sugar. Ultimately, the Company's goal is to use other types of plant-based waste, such as wood chips or wheat stalks, to produce recyclable PET plastic bottles.

"At WWF, we applaud Coca-Cola's efforts to ensure that sourcing the raw materials for PlantBottle does not impact the food supply," said Gerry Butts , President of WWF-Canada. "We cannot trade off climate protection for food shortages, and innovations such as the PlantBottle packaging show that we don't have to. This is a solution with long-term, meaningful benefits."

"While the PlantBottle introduction and market launch put The Coca-Cola Company on the forefront of bio-based packaging innovation, we are continuing to strive to make an even better bottle," said Scott Vitters, Director of Sustainable Packaging, The Coca-Cola Company. "Our vision is to continue to innovate until we have a bottle that is made with 100 percent plant-waste material while remaining completely recyclable."

A variety of products will be in PlantBottle packaging in Western Canada beginning in December and for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Products available in the PlantBottle package will include Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, Diet Coke, DASANI, Sprite, Fresca, Barqs, and Fanta. All Canadian products available in the new plant-based bottle will be bottled in Coca-Cola Bottling Company facilities in Calgary , Alberta and Richmond , British Columbia.

The global launch plans also include availability in Denmark and the United States . Throughout Denmark , Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Light and Coca-Cola Zero in 500mL and 2L sizes are now available in the PlantBottle. And for select markets in the Western United States , including Seattle , San Francisco , and Los Angeles , the PlantBottle will be used for DASANI in several sizes and Coca-Cola in two-liter bottles, starting in January. Future package launches are being planned in other markets, including Japan and Mexico and for China's Shanghai Expo in 2010.

Coca-Cola Ltd. in Canada has made other sustainability commitments around its Olympic activation, such as:

    
    -   Carbon-neutral Olympic sponsor for Games time and the Olympic Torch
        Relay
    -   All Olympic Torch Relay vehicles are hybrid, bio-diesel or electric
    -   1,400 climate-friendly coolers - a North American first
    -   100% collection of all PET containers consumed throughout the Olympic
        venues
    -   All premiums and employee uniforms are made from 100% recycled PET
    

About Coca-Cola and the Olympic Movement

The Coca-Cola Company has been an Olympic Games partner since 1928 and is the longest continuous corporate supporter of the Olympic Movement. The Company works with National Olympic Committees in more than 200 countries to help athletes train and compete. More than 90 percent of the Coca-Cola system's investment in the Olympic Games is directed to athlete development and to assist in staging the Games. Products of The Coca-Cola Company and, in Canada of Coca-Cola Ltd. refresh athletes, volunteers, officials and spectators during the Olympic Games; and supporting programs such as the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay allows Coca-Cola to help share the Olympic Spirit around the world. The Coca-Cola Company is the exclusive nonalcoholic beverage provider to the Olympic Games through 2020.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Images and b-roll to accompany this story can be found at www.cokenews.ca or for download at transfer.hillandknowlton.ca (user: cocacola; password: openhappiness).

For further information: Erica Faltous, Hill & Knowlton Canada, [phone], [email protected]; Kayla Rochkin, Hill & Knowlton Canada, [phone], kayla.rochkin @hillandknowlton.ca