Coke and bio-based plastics

About a year ago, I posted an item about Coca-Cola Co.'s thoughts about bioresins. Fast forward to today, and it's apparent that Coke has made quite a bit of progress in just 11 months. This morning, Coke introduced a new bottle made a blend of conventional and bioresin materials that it dubbed the PlantBottle. Up to 30 percent of the resin used the in bottle is made from PET sugar cane and molasses as feedstocks. According to Coke, bottles made from the blend "can be processed through existing manufacturing and recycling facilities without contaminating traditional PET." "This innovation is a real win because it moves us closer to our vision of zero waste with a material that lessens our carbon footprint and is also recyclable," said Scott Vitters, director of sustainable packaging for Coke, in a news release. Coca-Cola North America will pilot the PlantBottle with Dasani and sparkling brands in select markets later this year, and with vitaminwater in 2010.