By Faridat Salifu
The Coca-Cola company which produces Fanta and Sprite soft drinks has embarked on an initiative capable of minimising its ecological imprints in the environment by scrapping labels from the front of its bottles and make them label-less, starting with Sprite.
The company has since started implementation trial of a completely see- through initiative with an embossed logo towards simplifying recycling and reduce the use of packaging materials, but the trial is restricted presently to the United Kingdom (UK) where only Tesco Express stores displays the New look Sprite on their shelves.
In a telephone chat with the NatureNews, the Director of Sustainability and Communication at Coca – Cola, Nigeria, Mrs onyemelukwe Amaka, explained that the company is considering a trial of the see- through product in Nigeria noting that the idea may likely not start in the country soon owing to Nigeria’s emphasis on product labelling, particularly the compulsory requirement for NAFDAC number and other necessary information to be on a product.
However, she said the company is currently in the process of evaluating regulations in the country to determine if the trial can proceed sooner saying, “This trial will serve as an opportunity to gauge consumer recognition of Sprite’s bottles, as the branding on labels is a key factor in standing out on the shelf.”
Mrs. Amaka highlighted the importance of this trial as a means to test consumer reactions and assess regulatory feasibility.
She added that the company is committed to understanding and adapting to local regulations and consumer preferences before potentially introducing the new product to the Nigerian market.
She said the decision of Coca-Cola to change from the previous labelling marketing strategy represents the company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Amaka stresses further that in spite of the challenges posed to the company’s label-less product in certain markets, this innovative approach underscore the company’s the decision to reducing non-recyclable materials and simplifying the recycling process.
This, according to her, will contribute to cost saving for the consumers noting that Coca-Cola has conducted similar label-free product trials in other markets like South Korea and Japan.