Coca-Cola Philippines Expands PET Bottle Collection Program to Help Strengthen Recycling Efforts
The expanded Tapon to Ipon program consolidates Coca-Cola Philippines' various bottle collection programs including the Tindahan Extra Mile (TEM) initiative into one program. With over 6,000 collection hubs now in operation nationwide, the initiative aims to make recycling drop off points more accessible to communities across the Philippines.
The initiative was officially relaunched with a community activation event on April 29, 2025, at Terra 28th in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), highlighting the importance of strong local engagement.
'Coca-Cola Philippines continues to innovate and improve our recycling systems to help address plastic waste,' said Tony del Rosario, President of Coca-Cola Philippines. 'By expanding Tapon to Ipon, we are increasing collection and recycling access and reinforcing our commitment to partnerships that help deliver positive impact in local communities.'
Originally launched in 2021 by Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines (CCEAP), formerly Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI), Tapon to Ipon has engaged sari-sari store owners, customers, government agencies, and local governments to recover post-consumer clear PET bottles.
'We are grateful to all our partners who continue to support collective environmental action,' said Gareth McGeown, CEO and President of CCEAP. 'Strengthening collection and recycling infrastructure has always been a key goal of Tapon to Ipon, and its expansion underscores our shared mission to empower communities and create a more sustainable future for Filipinos.'
Coca-Cola's expanded initiative officially kicked off with a Tapon to Ipon booth activation on April 29, 2025, at Terra 28th in BGC, showcasing the importance of strong community engagement.
At the Tapon to Ipon activation in BGC, attendees dropped off their empty PET bottles and joined the 'Dunk, Not Junk' shooting hoops game for a chance to win Coca-Cola merchandise, refreshing products, and other exciting prizes.
The aim is to bring the collected bottles to PETValue Philippines, the country's first food-grade bottle-to-bottle recycling facility located in General Trias, Cavite. PETValue Philippines, a joint venture between CCEAP and Indorama Ventures, plays a critical role in turning post-consumer PET bottles into new food-grade recycled PET (rPET) packaging.
To date, CCEAP has reached over 170 cities and municipalities nationwide. The program has also been recognized at the FMCG Asia Awards, Quill Awards, and Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, underscoring its significant contribution to promoting more sustainable practices and responsible waste management.
Incentivizing community recycling systems
As an expanded part of the program, which now incorporates the Tindahan Extra Mile program, sari-sari store and carinderia owners will also become empowered to be rewarded for their recycling efforts.
Implemented in partnership with Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies, Inc. (BEST) and the Philippine Association of Stores and Carinderia Owners (PASCO), participating micro-retailers collect PET plastic bottles and other recyclables from their communities and can earn points based on the volume of materials they gather. They can use these points to redeem cash or products through the bXTRA app.
Tapon to Ipon underscores the company's ongoing commitment to sustainability. By partnering with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), retailers, private organizations, and local government units, the company continues to build a strong network of collection hubs that make recycling more accessible and engaging for communities across the country.
Hundreds of collection points have been established across the Philippines to make recycling more accessible to communities. To find the nearest collection point, visit the interactive map at: https://www.coca-cola.com/ph/en/brands/coca-cola/sustainability
The article above is a paid press release from Coca-Cola Philippines.
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