COCA-COLA RECYCLES OVER 29million BOTTLES IN 2025

COCA-COLA Europacific Partners PNG have recycled more than 29 million bottles through its PET plastic bottle collection program in Port Moresby and Lae in 2025.

In 2023, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PNG (CCEP PNG), and Branis Recycling Limited began the scheme in Port Moresby, allowing residents to return empty PET bottles in exchange for cash.

CCEP PNG’s Country Director, Tim Solly, said the collection of approximately 29,278,100 bottles (791 tonnes) is an achievement that the company is extremely proud of. This amount can cover 15 rugby fields or fill up 7 Olympic size pools.

“We started this initiative to collect and recycle plastic beverage bottles back in 2022 (with the commencement of the initial pilot program), with our collection partners, Branis Recycling. This year’s results are a clear reflection of our ongoing commitment to help reduce plastic waste.”

The collection program allows consumers to collect any plastic beverage bottle and return it to Branis collection sites in Port Moresby or Lae. The consumer is paid a fee of K1.00 for every 1 kilogram of PET plastic beverage bottles collected. Branis Recycling collects, shreds, and packs the bottles before they are shipped abroad for further recycling.

Mr Solly said since launching in 2023, the program has been collecting not only Coca-Cola beverage bottles but also those from other beverage bottle manufacturers operating in PNG.

“We would like to see other beverage manufacturers in PNG join this program. Together we can make a real difference in reducing plastic water and preserving PNG’s environment.”

Mr Solly also acknowledged Swire Shipping, an important partner in the program, for its support since day one, providing pro bono ocean freight for the collected plastic beverage bottles from PNG to Malaysia, where the plastics will be sustainably recycled, under the Moana Taka Partnership.

In 2024, the program collected 474 tonnes of plastic beverage bottles in Port Moresby and expanded the collections program to Lae in May 2025.

CCEP PNG’s initiative is a model for corporate-community partnerships in sustainability. By combining incentives, local recycling infrastructure, and international export, it shows how even small island nations can tackle plastic waste.