VIDEO: Coca-Cola calls for more robust PRN system to drive up recycling

Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) is calling for the packaging waste recovery note (PRN) system to be strengthened to encourage greater levels of recycling and investment in reprocessing infrastructure.


Speaking at the RWM show in Birmingham last week (September 15), CCE’s commercial recycling manager, Nick Brown, told delegates: “I think the existing PRN system could be used as a much greater tool for good … it needs to be strengthened to act as a driver for change.”

PRN certificates are issued by accredited reprocessors when packaging waste is recycled or recovered. These PRNs are then purchased by obligated companies, such as CCE, as evidence that they have met their obligations for packaging recycling.


CCE, which is also leading calls for a recyclability commitment in the soft drinks industry, recently entered a joint venture with ECO Plastics, Continuum Recycling, to establish a closed loop process for reprocessing plastic bottles in the UK.

Used plastic bottles will be recycled in Lincolnshire when the 25,000-tonne plant opens in May 2012. The food-grade rPET pellet produced will be reused in new Coca-Cola bottles, enabling CCE to meet its target of including 25% rPET in all its plastics packaging by 2012.

Brown said CCE was now the “biggest buyer of rPET in the countries it operates in” and that the company was working towards all of its bottles and cans being 100% recyclable by next year.

Nick Brown will be speaking on how Coca-Cola Enterprises is working towards zero waste at edie’s Sustainability Leaders Forum on November 3 2011. For more details and to book your place go here

Maxine Perella

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