With the aim of seeking the evolution of Coca-Cola Ecuador’s beverage portfolio, creating and placing more returnable bottles in personal and family presentations in the market and acquiring platforms, shelves and refrigeration equipment for marketing, the company and Arca Continental Ecuador planned to invest USD 64 million, starting in 2022. until next year. To date, this plan to accelerate returns is already delivering results.

According to the company, this investment has now allowed more than 30% of the portfolio produced in Ecuador to be in returnable packaging, for both carbonated and non-carbonated drinks, allowing it to become one of the first countries in the region to exceed the target by more than 30% .

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As part of their global strategy, Coca-Cola and Arca Continental aim for at least 25% of their portfolio to be renewable by 2030.

“Since 2017, we have replaced 1.7 billion PET bottles by selling our returnable bottles in Ecuador. Reusing beverage containers has a direct positive impact on sustainability as it helps us make better use of recoverable waste from our operations and promotes industry best practices, reducing our carbon footprint. Therefore, we are working on promotion and market return behavior to achieve our goal of a world without waste,” said Mariana Rosalba, general manager of Coca-Cola Ecuador.

What is the procedure for returning the bottle?

For glass and plastic bottles, this involves a round where the person returns the empty container to the point of sale to get a new drink. The containers received are returned to the bottling plant and, after a rigorous washing process and electronic inspection, are refilled to be re-marketed.

In Ecuador, there are glass and plastic packages that have a lifespan of up to 10 years and can be used up to 50 times. Both types of containers are made of highly resistant materials that enable their reuse in accordance with the highest international quality and safety standards. When a reusable container’s life cycle is over, it is recycled to become a new container or other products, reducing waste.

Carbonated drinks, moisturizing creams and tea are the ones that contributed the most to Arca Continental’s sales increase in Ecuador

For Guillermo Adam, General Manager of Arca Continental Ecuador, the aim of these strategies is to promote the sustainable development of communities and promote responsible production with the environment and society. He also pointed out that returnable containers are an affordable option as they are 30% cheaper than PET solutions, as you only pay for the liquid and not the container.

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For 2023, the company has set goals for: