Return
At ECCBC, we acknowledge our duty to address the intricate challenges posed by plastic waste, both to our planet and society. In response, we are part of the strategy launched by The Coca-Cola Company “World Without Waste”.
This strategy is designed to catalyze systemic change by promoting a circular economy approach to packaging. “World Without Waste” serves as a comprehensive sustainable packaging platform, emphasizing measurable goals and interconnected objectives. Each goal is reinforced by a set of additional targets, ensuring a holistic approach to our commitment to sustainability.
Goals
Levers of change
Redesign our packaging to reduce waste generation and recyclability
Implement circular economy practices un plastic bottles
Support the creation of collection and recycling schemes in our territories
Introduce rPET in our key markets
Refillable Glass Bottles
Our strategy prioritizes the adoption of returnable glass bottles (RGB) in the market, representing a significant shift in our approach. We now offer some of our brands in RGB utilizing a deposit system. This transformative step replaces single-use glass bottles with new ones that can be refilled up to 25 times, thereby conserving energy and raw materials. By embracing this initiative, we anticipate a notable reduction in our carbon footprint, as RGBs can emit greenhouse gases (GHG) three times less than single-use glass bottles. Moreover, the universal format simplifies bottle returns for outlets and wholesalers, streamlining operations and enhancing sustainability efforts. This project marks a significant milestone in our journey towards minimizing the carbon footprint associated with our packaging practices.
Light weighting
One of our primary initiatives involves reducing the use of plastic in our packaging. By implementing lightweighting techniques, we have successfully decreased the PET content in our bottles while upholding stringent quality standards. As a result, last year, we achieved a reduction in PET content, equivalent to 2.25% of the total preforms sourced. This milestone highlights our ongoing commitment to sustainability and responsible resource management in our operations.
UNIDO Switch2CE
Morocco
In 2024, ECCBC continued to make strong progress on Morocco’s first bottle-to-bottle recycling pilot, led in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The initiative is also supported by Right Execution Daily (RED), Roots for Sustainability (R4S), ThirdWay Partners, and La Générale de Recyclage (LGR). This three-year project is focused on building a local circular economy for PET plastic by collecting, sorting, and recycling used bottles into new ones.
Over the past year, efforts have been scaled through innovative collection models targeting both households and points of sale, designed to boost recovery rates and secure a steady stream of high-quality material for recycling. These developments mark a critical step toward closing the loop on plastic packaging.
Guinea Conakry Recycling Project
Guinea-Conakry
With support from The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), ECCBC launched a recycling project in Conakry, Guinea, in 2021. In collaboration with Roots for Sustainability, the project is focused on developing an organized waste collection system by empowering waste pickers through the formation of cooperatives and integrating them into the municipal waste management framework.
As of 2024, the initiative has collected approximately 30 tonnes of PET plastic waste, reflecting steady progress in improving local recycling infrastructure and supporting inclusive, community-based waste management solutions
Cap Challenge
Algeria
Since 2022, ECCBC Algeria has supported the Algerian Cap Challenge, a bottle cap collection campaign benefiting children with xeroderma pigmentosum.
Through the active involvement of our teams and their families, we help gather caps later sold for recycling, with proceeds funding medication, school supplies, and Ramadan baskets. In 2024, the initiative reached a major milestone with over 3,000 tons of caps collected, underscoring our commitment to environmental action and community support.
Nrecycli
Algeria
ECCBC Algeria has partnered with Nrecycli, a startup that connects citizens to local recycling points through its digital platform Nrecycli. com.
Users are rewarded for recycling, while associations hosting collection points receive quarterly sponsorships to support their activities. Moreover, partner companies reward citizens with products/services for their CSR efforts, creating measurable social and environmental impact.
This partnership will be integrated into ECCBC’s bottle-to-bottle project, enhancing our commitment to circularity and community engagement.
Polyrec
Algeria
ECCBC Algeria has established a partnership with POLYREC in the western region, specifically in the Wilaya of Oran. Through this collaboration, more than 200 Smart Recyclable Bottles (SRBs) have been in stalled to collect plastic bottles in strategically selected locations, including universities, shopping centers, event halls, and more. This partnership will be integrated into ECCBC Algeria’s “bottle-to-bottle” project, further strengthening our impact on sustainability and community engagement.
Beach cleaning
Morocco
Cape Verde
Guinea-Conakry
As in previous years, ECCBC reaffirmed its commitment to environmental stewardship through a series of beach clean-up initiatives across multiple countries. These events, led by our dedicated team of volunteers, aimed not only to remove waste from coastal areas but also to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our natural environment. Volunteers in, Morocco, and Cape Verde played a central role in organizing and participating in these efforts. By actively involving local communities, ECCBC demonstrated its ongoing dedication to environmental protection and the promotion of sustainable practices. These initiatives continue to have a meaningful impact on coastal ecosystems while fostering greater environmental consciousness in the regions where we operate.
GRIPE
Ghana
In 2017, Equatorial Coca-Cola joined seven other private companies to co-found Ghana Recycling Initiative by Private Enterprises (GRIPE), a private-sector coalition committed to tackling the environmental impact of plastic waste in Ghana. GRIPE brings together industry players, government bodies, NGOs, and informal waste collectors to drive local, collaborative solutions to this global issue.
By 2024, GRIPE had made notable progress in its waste management efforts. Through a series of community clean-up campaigns, the coalition collected 8,410 tonnes of plastic waste, playing a key role in advancing environmental protection and sustainable waste practices in the country
AIRE
ECCBC engaged in the endeavors of the Alliance for Packaging Innovation and Recycling (AIRE). This coalition is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in managing end-of-life packaging. The core focus of recycling plastic packaging revolves around eco-design principles aimed at minimizing waste generation and enhancing product recyclability. Additionally, AIRE prioritizes the enhancement of selective collection systems and public awareness. To steer its efforts effectively, the Alliance has devised a comprehensive roadmap to steer its initiatives.
