Coca -Cola’s plastic will surpass 9 billion pounds by the end of 10 years: Report

Diving Briefs:

• According to a new report published by Oceana this week, Coca -Cola’s use of annual plastic will surpass 9.1 billion pounds by 2030. The amount of the company’s total plastics increased by 40% compared to 2018, and it was 20% higher than the most recent plastic use in 2023.
• According to the report, if Coca -Cola increases the reusable packaging level to 26.4%by 2030, the company can reduce overall plastic use.
• Despite the campaign to increase the number of reusable plastics in the 2010s, Coca -Cola has shifted to a new packaging goal in recent months. In December, Soda manufacturers expanded their previously announced goals to increase to 25%of the products that sold reuse.

Dive Insights:

Coca -Cola has long led an environmental group for packaging practices. Backlash has been strengthened only after changing its packaging target in 2024.

Coca-Cola said, “We plan to continue to invest in refillable packaging where infrastructure already exists, but the new goal is not about reuse packaging, which has set a goal to increase recycling materials from the first packaging (plastic, glass and aluminum) to 35% to 40% by 2035.

According to the data from Ellen Macarthur Foundation, only 23%of the Coca -Cola plastic packaging could be reused in 2023.

In Oceana’s report, the non -profit organization urged the company to urge the company to replace the COKE ZERO MAKER with a reusable packaging for a single use plastic bottle. The group cited research published in science last year and found that the company produces the most plastic to pollute the environment.

Oceana said, “Investors need to understand that the continuous dependence of Coca -Cola on plastics is worsening pollution, environmental deterioration and climate change.” In order to increase the reusable packaging and reduce plastic use, you must pressure the company. “

A spokesman for COCA-COLA said in a statement sent to the Food Dive, the company focuses on supporting the policy to increase recycling materials and the recycling infrastructure in the packaging.

The spokesman of the soda giants said, “We know that we need to do more.” We will continue to explore new collection models, improve existing models, invest in local infrastructure, and interact with policymakers through cooperation with local and global partners. ”

Beverage giants warned earlier this year that President Donald Trump’s tariffs will increase their dependence on plastics.

James Quincey CEO said in February that investors could increase the use of plastic bottles if the tariffs were deployed to the country where Coca -Cola produced materials and more expensive aluminum.

PEPSICO, a major competitor of the company, said last year that it would not reach the 2025 goal to make packaging recyclable, composting, biodegradable or reuse.