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Atlanta-based Coca-Cola recently announced the development of "The 'PlantBottle."  The "PlantBottle" is currently made through an process that turns sugar cane and molasses, a by-product of sugar production, into a key component for PET plastic. 

The company claims that manufacturing the new plastic bottle is more environmentally efficient.  A life-cycle analysis conducted by Imperial College London indicates the "PlantBottle™" with 30 percent plant-base material reduces carbon emissions by up to 25 percent, compared with petroleum-based PET.

Coca-Cola announced that, unlike other plant-based plastics, this bottle can be processed through existing manufacturing and recycling facilities without contaminating traditional PET. 

Coca-Cola North America will pilot the "PlantBottle™" with Dasani and sparkling brands in select markets later this year and with vitaminwater in 2010.   The bottles will be identified through on-package messages and in-store point of sale displays. 

"The 'PlantBottle™' represents the next step in evolving our system toward the bottle of the future," said Scott Vitters, Director of Sustainable Packaging of The Coca-Cola Company.  "This innovation is a real win because it moves us closer to our vision of zero waste with a material that lessens our carbon footprint and is also recyclable."