Express... the unseen recycling success

A friend once told that he heard on the television that Chile had the second highest rate of recycling in all of Latin America. Whereas I do not know whether or not it is true, I can see it as possible but not necessarily something to be proud of since there are next to zero successful recycling campaigns. However, there is one grossly overlooked recycling (or reuse) system that receives little attention, and is prevalent in nearly every rinconcito of Chile, in places that may not even have a functioning trash system, forget recycling system. And that is Coca-Cola Express, one of my own guilty pleasures. An “Express” is a 237ml (8oz) glass bottle of a Coca-Cola beverage- generally Fanta, Sprite or Coca-Cola, but other beverages are available at certain locals as well. Generally selling for CHP $150 or $200, (about US $0.30 or $0.40), it is consumed on the spot, be it in a corner store, a cocineria, kiosk, restaurant, etc. Coca-Cola trucks come on a regular basis to pick up the bottles and take them to the plant where they are cleaned and sterilized using a hot caustic solution and rinsed with fresh water under pressure and refilled, to be distributed to the sellers.

A modest cocineria owner told me that he sells about three hundred Express daily. Multiplied by the amount of locations that sell them, which at times feels like every street corner, thousands of people recycle/reuse everyday without giving it a second thought. Critiques of the system surely include that the trucks are old and consume lots of petrol, and the glass is heavy which makes the system even more energy consuming. The cleaning and sterilization process most likely uses a lot of water, which is in relatively short supply, and energy to heat the fluids, as well as dangerous chemicals. However, in Argentina 237ml glass bottles are sold in corner markets and end up in the trash, which seems like the biggest waste of energy of all. Granted the system could most likely be improved with a more modern fleet and efficient vehicles, as well as the most efficient routes. Lighter glass bottles may make a considerable difference, and who knows, maybe it is possible that the cleaning and sterilization process could be made more efficient. Whereas the system is not environmentally pristine, the bottom line is it is a functioning system of reuse in the country of Chile- and if included in the recycling rates, makes it highly believable that Chile recycles more than just about every other country in Latin America.

I find one of the most interesting aspects of Coca-Cola Express is that is goes by relatively unnoticed. Most people tell me that they have only been around for 3-5 years or so, and in that small time Express are sold everywhere...granted they are not sold out. Coca-Cola in glass bottles tastes better, they are far less expensive than cans, which sell for about CHP $500 (US $1), or plastic bottles for CHP $700. And usually 237ml is enough to satisfy a Coca-Cola craving. Surely that increases the demand as well, but one thing is for certain- glass bottles are not being thrown in the trash or on the ground like their plastic bottle counterparts.

Side Note: It is also important to note that larger bottles of 1-3 liters, as well as beer, comes in bottles that are desechable or retournable (disposable or returnable). With a retournable bottle, which are made of glass or a more durable plastic, you buy the bottle once for about CHP$200 (or take one from your friend’s house, or a party, wherever), and then exchange the bottle the next time you go to buy beer or soda. More environmentally friendly, the price from returnable bottles are considerably less, sometimes half the price. But, laziness generally gets in the way of widespread use of the system, as numerous people have told me they buy desechable because they forget to bring the bottles back… akin to forgetting your cloth bag in the car or at home when grocery shopping. So while in Chile remember your cloth bag while grocery shopping, but do not forget your retournable beer or soda bottles either. It will save you considerably.   

The most successful recycling/reuse program that I believe exists in Chile is Coca-Cola Express. Although yes, the trucks are old and polluting, the glass is heavy, water and chemicals are used to clean the bottles and it may not be the most environmentally conscious recycling program out there... bottom line is it reuses old glass bottles at an astounding rate and is obviously economically competitive with the alternatives.

Inexpensive AND in glass bottles, the Coca-Cola really does taste different than in the US. Probably very similar to the "Mexican Coke."  It is about US $0.30- 0.40 for 8 ounces. 

Popular everywhere.