Danielle Jackson

New York -- Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Co. shareholders will vote today on a proposal asking the company to state the feasability of achieving an 80 percent beverage container recovery rate in North America, approximately double current numbers. The resolution was filed by several shareholders out of concern for a drastic decrease in beverage container recycling.

Meantime, the Container Recycling Institute (CRI), Arlington, Va., has charged that both Coke and PepsiCo. Inc., Purchase, N.Y., are responsible for a dramatic increase in packaging waste in the past 10 years, which has hurt taxpayers and the environment.

CRI and the Athens, Ga.-based GrassRoots Recycling Network (GRRN) launched a national advertising campaign today in New York City, encouraging the bottlers to practice producer responsibility. The organizations also have launched their website, www.saveabottle.org as part of the campaign.