As environmental issues remain a priority in Florida, the state’s beverage industry is taking proactive and collaborative action to reduce plastic waste and improve recycling.
Through our Every Bottle Back initiative, the Florida Beverage Association (FBA), alongside national partners and local communities, is taking a leadership role in creating a more sustainable future.
Led by The Coca-Cola Company, Keurig Dr Pepper, and PepsiCo, and supported by environmental leaders like World Wildlife Fund, Closed Loop Partners, and The Recycling Partnership, Every Bottle Back is more than just a campaign—it’s a commitment to reshape the lifecycle of beverage containers and show the value of a circular economy.
At the core of this initiative is a deliberate design choice: creating bottles that are 100% recyclable and Made to Be Remade.
PET is Not the Problem—It’s Part of the Solution
Our industry uses PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic to manufacture bottles that are strong, lightweight, and 100% recyclable. Unlike single-use plastics, PET is designed for reuse and is the most recycled plastic in America. Using recycled PET (rPET) instead of virgin plastic reduces total energy consumption by 79% and cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 67%. That’s real, measurable progress.
With rPET in high demand, our focus is also on increasing recycling rates through investments in infrastructure, education, and partnerships to get more bottles back, so we can turn them into new bottles. “Made to Be Remade” isn’t just a tagline—designing with the end in mind is core to our philosophy. Our bottles and caps are engineered to be 100% recyclable, and we’re communicating that directly on packaging to educate and remind families.
Investing in Infrastructure, From Jacksonville to the Keys
Florida communities are at the forefront of our strategy. We’ve helped bring recycling education to residents in Jacksonville through the “Feet on the Street” anti-contamination program. This initiative alone is expected to recover 96 million pounds of recyclable material over the next ten years, including 3.7 million pounds of PET and 1.2 million pounds of aluminum, which could have otherwise been landfilled or littered across our beautiful state. And it’s working! So far, we’ve reduced contamination in the recycling stream by 23%.
Our coalition has also invested in local programs across Orange County Public Schools, the City of Coral Gables, Bill Baggs Cape State Park, the City of Miami, and more—bringing new recycling opportunities to neighborhoods, schools, and public spaces.
Nationally, through a $100 million industry fund, we’re leveraging the equivalent of nearly half a billion dollars to modernize and expand community recycling programs. Florida has been a key beneficiary, and our goal is to do even more.
Community Impact with Industry Accountability
What makes Every Bottle Back unique is the integration of public education with measurable, community-level results. We are not simply encouraging more recycling — we are giving Floridians the tools, infrastructure, and information they need to do it effectively.
And we’re inviting everyone to be a part of the solution. The Florida Beverage Association works hand in hand with municipalities, environmental organizations, school systems, and the public to expand access to recycling and help shift consumer behavior.
With strategic investment, collaboration, and the right materials, we can build a circular economy that reclaims valuable materials, reduces our reliance on new plastic and protects our environment.
Our industry isn’t waiting for others to act—we’re leading the way. And we’re asking local government, businesses, and individuals to join us in ensuring that we get every bottle (and aluminum can) back…because Florida’s future is worth it!