• by Karlene Lukovitz  @KLmarketdaily, April 8, 2010

Coca-Cola's Dasani bottled water brand is running a green-hat giveaway to build awareness of its new PlantBottle, 100%-recyclable plastic packaging made up of up to 30% plant-based materials. 

The limited-edition line of hats was designed by Erica Domesek, founder of the designer do-it-yourself brand "PS-I Made This" and its eponymous Web site. Made from everyday household items such as sweatpants, zippers from sweatshirts, buttons and thread, the hats are intended to promote the recycling benefits of DIY fashion, as well as the PlantBottle.

To get hats, consumers enter their names/email addresses on the site of L.A.-based boutique Satine (SatineBoutique.com) between April 7 and April 21. Each day during the promotion, the first 10 consumers to register after 9 a.m. PT/12 p.m. ET will each receive a hat (limit one per entrant). Hat recipients will be notified by email on Earth Day, April 22.

Dasani will also make a donation to Ocean Conservancy for each hat given away.

In addition, Satine will host an event at its boutique on April 21 honoring Earth Day and Ocean Conservancy. Domesek will be posting information about the green hat design program and DIY fashion tips on Dasani.com during Earth Month, and will offer green-hat design sessions at key events during April/Earth Month.

Coca-Cola was first-to-market with recyclable PET plastic bottles made partially from plants, starting with its introduction for the Dasani brand earlier this year, according to the company. The bottle reduces dependence on petroleum, and "preliminary research" indicates that its overall carbon footprint -- from plant-growing through resin production -- is smaller than for bottles made with traditional PET, again per Coca-Cola.

In a separate eco-oriented effort, Dasani will help raise funds for state park systems in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington through a "30 Days/30 Ways Challenge."

The program's site (dasani.com/30ways) offers 30 simple earth-friendly tips for each day of Earth Month, such as buying eco-friendly batteries and safely recycling computers/cell phones. Consumers can activate a donation to select parks in the states by logging on and sharing eco-tips or recycling trivia through Facebook, Twitter or email via the site's application.

Dasani will make a $1 donation each time a visitor shares tips, up to a $25,000 maximum.

As recently reported by Marketing Daily, Coca-Cola's Southern California bottling company is also participating in a program to help raise funds to clean up California beaches. The company is donating $1 toward the "Care for Our Coast" efforts each time consumers buy $10 worth of C-C products, including soft drinks, Dasani, Vitaminwater and Fuze drinks.