TANZANIA – Coca-Cola Kwanza, Tanzanian subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), has officially unveiled the new look of its leading sparkling lemon-lime flavoured soft drink, Sprite, coming in a clear polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle packaging.

The latest shift from its iconic green bottle means more Sprite bottles can be collected, recycled, and reused to make new ones.

According to Coca Cola, the clear PET can be made into a wide range of new products, such as pillow and duvet inners, as well as into new bottles, making it more valuable than green PET, which has limited uses.

The move is part of the beverage maker’s ‘World Without Waste’ vision, which targets to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle it sells and reach 50% recycled content of all its packaging by 2030.

With the launch, Tanzania becomes the 5th market in Africa where Coca-Cola has introduced the Sprite clear PET, after South Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Kenya.

“This is a new dawn for our customers in Tanzania as they can now enjoy the same great taste of their favorite sparkling lemon-lime drink as the bottle can be easily recycled and made into new items.

“The clear PET plastic also contributes to economic empowerment as it will have more value for waste recyclers in Tanzania,” said Unguu Sulay, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Kwanza, Tanzania.

Speaking during the launch, Minister of State in The Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment) Seleman Said Jafo congratulated the company on the new innovation.

“As you are all aware, the world has been at war with plastic waste and some of these discussions have been at the center of global environmental conferences. It is inspiring to see Coca-Cola take a step to address this challenge and a commitment to finding a solution.

The Coca Cola Kwanza’s Director of Public Affairs Communications and Sustainability Salum Nassor highlighted that the introduction of the new bottles shows commitment by the non-alcoholic beverages manufacturer to protect the environment.

“This is to support the government’s environmental sustainability endeavours in line with policy and national development strategy.

“Indeed, the change of the iconic bottle look is a demonstration of Coca-Cola’s commitment to environment protection using eco-friendly innovations,” Nassor said.

The ‘World Without Waste’ campaign represents Coca-Cola’s commitment to doing business sustainably through the creation of jobs for members of its host communities, promotion of financial empowerment and elimination of environmental waste.

With its presence in over 200 countries, including Tanzania, Sprite’s new transparent look features a see-through bottle, a refreshed icon of the brand’s bold and Sprite ‘spark’ with a distinct label and bright green cover.

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