Sprite to Phase Out its Signature Green Bottles

Coca-Cola has officially announced that starting August 1, Sprite will completely phase out its iconic green plastic bottles used for more than six decades in favor of more sustainable clear packaging. The changes will take place in U.S. and Canada, and by the end of the year, over 70 markets will have made the switch as well. The emerald green hues will still remain on Sprite’s labels alongside large “Recycle Me” messaging.

“Taking colors out of bottles improves the quality of the recycled material,” Julian Ochoa, CEO of R3cycle, one of the recycling companies working with Coca-Cola, said in an announcement. “This transition will help increase the availability of food-grade rPET. When recycled, clear PET Sprite bottles can be remade into bottles, helping drive a circular economy for plastic.”

Coca-Cola’s other sub-labels including Fresca, Mello Yello, and Seagram’s will also be transitioning to clear packaging for the same reasons as the company looks to completely eliminate the use of green plastics. The news arrives as Coca-Cola makes another major commitment to using 100 percent recycled plastics for its bottle water brand, Dasani. The initiatives are all part of Coca-Cola’s “World Without Waste” vision that looks to make 100% of their packaging recyclable by 2025 and to have more than 25 percent of their drinks sold in refillable or returnable packaging by 2030 among other goals.

In other news, General Mills launches a new “CinnaFuego Toast Crunch” snack.