Coca-Cola trials label-free Sprite packaging at Tesco Stores

Coca-Cola has announced a temporary initiative to remove labels from Sprite and Sprite Zero on-the-go bottles in a limited trial of 'label-less' packaging.
The pilot project will involve the removal of labels from single 500ml bottles of Sprite and Sprite Zero, with an embossed logo replacing the label on the front of the pack. Product and nutritional information will be laser-engraved on the back of the pack.
The primary aim of this trial is to simplify the recycling process. By removing labels, consumers won't need to separate them from the bottles during recycling, thereby reducing the amount of packaging material used overall. This initiative aligns with Coca-Cola's ongoing efforts to reduce packaging waste and enhance recyclability.
The label-less bottles will be available for purchase at eight Tesco Express Stores located in Brighton and Hove, Bristol, London, and Manchester from January to March 2024. These bottles will maintain the familiar clear, 100% recycled PET material, with green and transparent attached caps indicating whether it's Sprite or Sprite Zero.
Coca-Cola has been implementing various design changes aimed at reducing packaging waste, such as transitioning Sprite bottles from green to clear plastic for easier recycling. Additionally, they've introduced attached caps to prevent littering and invested in lightweight bottle designs to minimize materials used in external packaging.
Stephen Moorhouse, GB General Manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, highlighted the company's commitment to creating a future where plastic drink packaging has multiple lives. He emphasized that while labels contain valuable information for consumers, technology allows for alternative methods of sharing this information while reducing packaging usage.
Javier Meza, VP Marketing, Coca-Cola Europe, described the trial as a significant milestone for the industry, noting it as the first time these technologies have been combined in a pilot globally. He emphasized the potential for longer-term changes in how brands communicate with consumers.
James Bull, Head of Packaging and Food Waste Strategy at Tesco, expressed support for initiatives aimed at minimizing environmental impact and reducing plastic and packaging. He sees the label-less packaging trial as a positive example of brand innovation in providing sustainable solutions.