Coke test-runs new Dasani sustainability effort in Atlanta

Atlanta-based Coca-Cola has said in recent years that it will focus on sustainability efforts, with the ultimate goal being to recycle a bottle or can for every one sold by 2030.

To help meet that goal, the company kicked off a new effort in its hometown.

At the Thanksgiving night match-up between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints, some fans and tailgaters may have noticed a Dasani-branded booth featuring games, a photo booth and a lesson on recycling.

It’s part of a pilot to bring sustainability education to fans at sporting events.

"DASANI is excited to pilot our new sustainability experience in our own backyard," Coke's Lauren King said in a statement, according to Patch Atlanta. "We'll partner with fans to integrate more sustainable behaviors into their tailgating experience while taking the opportunity to learn and improve our future footprint."

Earlier this year, the company announced it will also roll out Dasani in aluminum cans and bottles to help meet its sustainability goals.

At the recent Falcons games, fans got a preview of the new packaging.

“At the DASANI tailgate, fans will help us reach our collections goals through a fun, interactive recycling experience that reminds us all that even small changes can have a big impact for our planet,” King said.

Earlier this year, the company also announced a grant program to bring more recycling awareness to cities across the country, including Atlanta. The recipients will partner with local government and environmental organizations in an attempt to boost recycling rates.

“The world has a packaging problem, and we like others have a responsibility to help solve it so bottles and cans don’t end up in places where they don’t belong,” Bruce Karas, Coca-Cola’s vice president of sustainability, said in a statement.