Comments on: In search of the perfect (Coke) bottle http://www.marcgunther.com/2009/11/30/in-search-of-the-perfect-coke-bottle/ This blog is about the impact of business on society. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:27:48 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Marc http://www.marcgunther.com/2009/11/30/in-search-of-the-perfect-coke-bottle/comment-page-1/#comment-283920 Marc Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:51:44 +0000 http://www.marcgunther.com/?p=3056#comment-283920 Doug, I asked Scott about the Brazilian sugar cane issue, and he said they found that it's environmentally preferable to use that feedstock despite the shipping issue because it is a very sustainable crop. (There's a quote from agricultural guru Jason Clay in the Coke press release saying that.) Re messaging on the bottle: Good idea. I'm guessing that the real estate on the label is so valuable that the marketing guys are yet willing to turn it over to the enviro team for a message. But I will ask the next time I'm in touch with Coke. Doug, I asked Scott about the Brazilian sugar cane issue, and he said they found that it’s environmentally preferable to use that feedstock despite the shipping issue because it is a very sustainable crop. (There’s a quote from agricultural guru Jason Clay in the Coke press release saying that.)

Re messaging on the bottle: Good idea. I’m guessing that the real estate on the label is so valuable that the marketing guys are yet willing to turn it over to the enviro team for a message. But I will ask the next time I’m in touch with Coke.

]]> By: Doug http://www.marcgunther.com/2009/11/30/in-search-of-the-perfect-coke-bottle/comment-page-1/#comment-283918 Doug Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:20:56 +0000 http://www.marcgunther.com/?p=3056#comment-283918 What's the carbon footprint of growing and harvesting sugar cane, and of shipping the material to whever the bottles are produced? Strikes me that increasing the recycling uptake would be the best "bang for the buck". Perhaps something on the product label along the lines of "Please be sure to recycle this bottle" and some similar commentary in Coke's advertising would help?? What’s the carbon footprint of growing and harvesting sugar cane, and of shipping the material to whever the bottles are produced? Strikes me that increasing the recycling uptake would be the best “bang for the buck”. Perhaps something on the product label along the lines of “Please be sure to recycle this bottle” and some similar commentary in Coke’s advertising would help??

]]> By: Marc http://www.marcgunther.com/2009/11/30/in-search-of-the-perfect-coke-bottle/comment-page-1/#comment-283917 Marc Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:13:23 +0000 http://www.marcgunther.com/?p=3056#comment-283917 Christine, good question. I'm almost certain that the PlantBottle is regular PET, and no different from the PET made from oil once it enters the recycling stream. Again, to the best of my knowledge, recyclers are just fine with the PlantBottle. This was one reasons Scott worked hard to "improve" or "green" PET, rather than seek a substitute. Christine, good question. I’m almost certain that the PlantBottle is regular PET, and no different from the PET made from oil once it enters the recycling stream. Again, to the best of my knowledge, recyclers are just fine with the PlantBottle. This was one reasons Scott worked hard to “improve” or “green” PET, rather than seek a substitute.

]]> By: Christine http://www.marcgunther.com/2009/11/30/in-search-of-the-perfect-coke-bottle/comment-page-1/#comment-283916 Christine Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:50:24 +0000 http://www.marcgunther.com/?p=3056#comment-283916 Is this type of plastic able to be recycled with "regular" PET or will the presence of plant-based polymers contaminate the recycling stream? Te date, recyclers have opposed such hybrids as they cannot be processed in existing PET streams and basically contaminate it/reduce the quality of the resulting recycled polymer. Is this type of plastic able to be recycled with “regular” PET or will the presence of plant-based polymers contaminate the recycling stream? Te date, recyclers have opposed such hybrids as they cannot be processed in existing PET streams and basically contaminate it/reduce the quality of the resulting recycled polymer.

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