By 2030, Coca-Cola is expected to release over 600,000 tons of plastic waste into oceans, as reported by Oceana. This pollution poses serious health risks linked to microplastics, including cancer and heart disease. Despite a commitment to 25% reusable packaging, Coca-Cola’s recent sustainability roadmap shifted focus to recycling. Environmentalists urge caution against overreliance on recycling and emphasize the need for reusable alternatives, a practice Coca-Cola has successfully implemented in several countries.
Coca-Cola’s Impact on Plastic Waste by 2030
By the year 2030, Coca-Cola is projected to contribute over 600,000 tons of plastic waste into the world’s oceans and waterways, as highlighted in a recent report from the NGO Oceana. This alarming statistic underscores the growing concern surrounding plastic pollution and its effects on our environment.
The Health Risks of Plastic Pollution
The release of microplastics has raised significant health concerns, with scientific studies linking these particles to serious health issues such as cancer, infertility, and heart disease. Matt Littlejohn, Oceana’s campaign leader, emphasized the importance of Coca-Cola’s role in this crisis, stating, “Coca-Cola is by far the largest producer and seller of beverages in the world. That’s why they really matter when we talk about the impact of all this on the ocean.”
According to a study published in 2024 in the journal Science Advances, Coca-Cola ranks as the leading global polluter in terms of plastic, surpassing major competitors like PepsiCo, Nestlé, and Danone. Utilizing data from Coca-Cola’s packaging production between 2018 and 2023, combined with projections for sales growth, Oceana estimates that the company’s plastic usage could exceed 4.13 million tons annually by 2030. This could result in approximately 602,000 tons of plastic entering aquatic ecosystems, equating to nearly 220 billion 500 ml bottles—enough to fill the stomachs of 18 million whales.
To combat this pollution, Oceana advocates for the adoption of reusable packaging alternatives. For instance, glass containers can be reused up to 50 times, while enhanced polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic can be utilized 25 times. In 2022, Coca-Cola committed to achieving 25% reusable packaging by 2030, acknowledging the effectiveness of such initiatives in reducing waste. However, this goal was quietly removed from their latest sustainability roadmap released in December 2024, with the focus shifting toward recycling efforts instead.
A spokesperson from Coca-Cola reassured that the company remains “determined to expand (its) reusable packaging options,” despite the revised goals. Environmental advocates caution against an overreliance on recycling, arguing that this approach often places the burden on consumers rather than addressing the core issues. As Matt Littlejohn pointed out, “Recycling is a good thing, don’t get me wrong. But if you use recycled plastic to produce more single-use plastic, that’s a problem.”
Furthermore, plastic production is heavily tied to the oil industry, which contributes significantly to climate change. Nevertheless, there is still hope; Coca-Cola has been successfully using reusable packaging in various countries, including Brazil, Germany, Nigeria, and certain regions of the United States, particularly Texas. “They have the capacity to develop this and show the way to the rest of the industry,” Mr. Littlejohn concluded.