The Coca-Cola Co.’s new, recyclable plastic bottle made partially from plants  and called the “PlantBottle” is hitting store shelves globally, the beverage giant said Monday, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

 

The new bottle is made from a blend of petroleum-based materials and up to 30% plant-based materials through a process that turns sugar cane and molasses, a by-product of sugar production, into a key component for PET plastic. Traditional PET bottles are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource.

 

Atlanta-based Coca-Cola aims to produce 2 billion of the special PET plastic bottles by the end of 2010.

 

For select markets in the western U.S., including Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles, PlantBottle packaging will be used for sparkling brands and DASANI in various sizes, beginning this January.