Coca-Cola and Pepsi Offer Sodas Sans Bottles
Soft drink giants are exploring high-tech water fountains that eliminate single-use plastic.
Jul 01, 2019
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The Wall Street Journal reports that Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are bringing water dispensers to college campuses and workplaces across the United States. Although these machines can add bubbles or flavors to a customer’s beverage, they won’t provide a bottle in an effort to cut down on single-use plastic.
With bottled water brands like Dasani, Aquafina, smartwater and LIFEWTR, the beverage makers are paying attention to the general consumer shift away from using plastic bottles.
They’re not alone. In a previous NACS Daily article, we shared how Nestlé is developing an out-of-home dispensing system, while Evian will soon sell an in-home water appliance. These top water companies have turned their eyes on reducing plastic bottle waste, as environmental activists put pressure on bottlers to come up with plastic alternatives.
Last year, PepsiCo bought SodaStream for $3.2 billion. Coca-Cola is debuting 100% recycled plastic bottles in Europe and is looking at creating aluminum bottle options for Dasani in North America. Both companies are pledging to help increase plastic recycling statistics.
Water is a hefty segment for both companies. Coca-Cola’s U.S. sales volume of still and sparkling bottled water rose 2% last year, while PepsiCo’s increased 4.6%, according to industry tracker Beverage Marketing Corp. In fact, bottled-water consumption in the U.S. is now outpacing soda consumption.
As plastic becomes political, Coca-Cola and Pepsi are preparing for the possibility that the U.S. could eventually ban plastic bottles, straws and bags.
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