Under pressure from the EU, Coca-Cola and Nestlé are changing the recycling labels on their plastic bottles

Beverage giants “Coca-Cola”, “Nestlé”” and “Danone”, have bowed to pressure from the European Union (EU) and agreed to change the recycling labels on their plastic bottles, the European Commission (EC) announced on Thursday.

In November 2023, European consumer organisations accused these three companies of making misleading claims on water bottles about the environmental friendliness of their products – so-called ‘greenwashing’. According to Brussels, the companies have now agreed to amend some of the wording.

For example, the statement “I am a bottle made from 100 per cent recycled plastic” will be changed to “This bottle is made from 100 per cent recycled plastic, except for the cap and label”, so that consumers know that these parts are not made from recycled materials.

The companies have also agreed to print “Recycle me” on bottle labels, rather than “Recycle me again”, so that consumers do not get the “wrong impression” that their bottle has already been recycled before.

These companies must also ensure that their online communications comply with the EU’s commitments.

The European Commission coordinated negotiations between the companies and the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network, which brings together the competent authorities of all 27 EU Member States.

The EU has reported that “Coca-Cola” and “Nestlé”” had already implemented part of their commitments, particularly those relating to claims about product recycling in digital advertising campaigns.