Bringing Savings Home: How Coca-Cola’s returnable bottles help consumers save more

Coca-Cola South Africa is driving consumer education around returnable bottles through household visits in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Through the ‘Returna for Sum More Savings’ campaign, representatives are distributing free sample bottles, flyers, and practical demonstrations to show how returning empty 2L returnable PET bottles reduces packaging waste and unlocks everyday savings.

Here is what consumers need to know:

1.What is a 2L returnable bottle, and how is it different?

A 2L returnable bottle, also known as a Refillable PET (RefPET) bottle is specially designed to be collected, sterilised, and refilled multiple times before eventually being recycled. Identify them by their distinctive green caps and “Returnable” label.

2. How does Coca-Cola ensure these bottles are safe?

Every collected bottle goes through high-temperature industrial washing, sterilisation, and strict safety inspections at Coca-Cola facilities before refilling. Any bottle showing damage is automatically rejected.

3. How does the system work, and how much do consumers save?

Your first purchase includes the bottle deposit. After that, return your empty bottle to any participating retailer when buying your next 2L to save R9 on the exchange.

4. Can consumers exchange a bottle for a different flavour?

Yes. You can return an eligible empty 2L (e.g., Fanta) and exchange it for any participating 2L such as Coca-Cola, Sprite, or Stoney, while keeping the R9 saving.

5. What ensures an empty bottle is accepted for return?

• Do: Return bottles empty with green caps and labels intact, rinsed, and stored in a cool, clean place away from direct sunlight.
• Don’t: Puncture, cut, or store non-beverage liquids (such as paraffin, cooking oil, or chemicals) inside. Contaminated or damaged bottles cannot be reused.

6. Where are these bottles available?

2L RefPET bottles are available across Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northwest, and parts of the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal.

7. How is Coca-Cola helping households get started?

Brand ambassadors are delivering free 2L RefPET sample bottles to selected communities, allowing first-time buyers to enter the return cycle and claim the R9 saving immediately without paying the initial bottle fee.

8. What is the ‘Returna for Sum More’ campaign?

Consumers can stand to win groceries for a year or one of 1,000 weekly cash and airtime prizes.
To enter: Buy a participating 1.25L returnable glass or 2L RefPET bottle (Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Stoney, Cappy, Twist, or Sparletta). WhatsApp ‘Hi’ to 082 508 9260 or scan the promotional QR code, then submit the unique code printed under the label. (T&Cs apply).

For queries, contact Coca-Cola Consumer Care on 0860 112 526