Carbonated soft drinks manufacturer Coca-Cola has partnered with US pizza restaurants across various states to promote its recycled plastic bottles.

The beverage company is launching ‘Toss In, Take Out’, a scheme that offers free pizza in exchange for empty plastic beverage bottles, including non-Coca-Cola bottles.

Customers can use these bottles as a form of currency in exchange for a pizza and a 20oz Coke drink packaged in a 100% recycled plastic bottle.

The first Coca-Cola takeovers will take place at Bleecker Street Pizza in New York City on 24 October and on 2 November at Goodfellas in Atlanta.

It will also launch at Lou Malnati’s in Chicago on 7 November.

Through this campaign, Coca-Cola estimates it will save more than 37 million pounds of virgin plastic from being circulated annually.

The beverage company also expects to reduce more than 39,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year in the US.

Coca-Cola’s trademark brands were initially launched in 100% recycled plastic bottles in 2021 across California, New York, and Texas.

The expansion of these bottles across the country is in line with the company’s ‘World Without Waste’ goal to use at least 50% recycled material in its bottles and cans by 2030.

Coca-Cola North America Sustainability vice-president and general manager Kurt Ritter said: "The expanded availability of Coca-Cola Trademark products in 100% recycled plastic bottles advances our ambitions to reduce virgin plastic and drive a circular economy for our packaging, the fundamental principle behind our sustainable packaging initiative, World Without Waste.

"Our ability to use 100% recycled plastic is a direct result of consumers' sustained commitment to recycling. In the future, we plan to bring this design innovation to more brands and markets."

Earlier this month, Coca-Cola India launched 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate bottles in its carbonated beverage category.