Food, beverage brands go green in honor of Earth Day

Sprite and Hoegaarden received new looks in celebration of Earth Day on Monday. [COCA-COLA KOREA, ORIENTAL BREWERY]

Food and beverage brands introduced environmentally friendly changes to their products in celebration of Earth Day on Monday.

Coca-Cola Korea changed the material used for Sprite bottles to make it easier to recycle while Belgian beer brand Hoegaarden introduced new packaging that encourages consumers to think about the importance of the planet.

First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day is a worldwide event held annually to demonstrate support for the environment.

Coca-Cola said it will stop selling Sprite in green bottles. Instead, transparent bottles made from a single material will be used. The new bottles will be easier to recycle. The brand will use the new bottles for Sprite’s 500-milliliter (16.9-ounce) and 1.5-liter bottles and will gradually expand the packaging to different-sized drinks.

“Sprite has been using green-colored plastic bottle since it was released,” said a spokesperson for Coca-Cola. “But we have decided to renew the packaging with a colorless plastic bottle for the environment … Coca-Cola will continue its commitment for socially responsible acts like the ‘World Without Waste’ campaign since 2018 for a sustainable earth.”

Hoegaarden introduced a packaging that features St. Gorgonius church in the city of Hoegaarden, Belgium, with the phrase “Let’s become one mind to think about the importance of earth in celebration of Earth Day” emblazoned across it.

Baedal Minjok, or Baemin, has started offering users the option to refuse disposable spoons or forks that are usually delivered with meals. Users can check the option before paying for their purchase.

Emart has recycling bins at its 29 branches in capital areas but plans to expand the number to all stores nationwide. Collected plastic will be donated to be used for upcycling.

Home-shopping companies also joined the move. CJ O Shopping said it adopted packaging that replaces vinyl with eco-friendly materials like paper for its packaging while Hyundai Home Shopping said it started using a box with eco-friendly adhesive instead of vinyl tape.

BY JIN MIN-JI [jin.minji@joongang.co.kr]