Criticism mounts as PepsiCo revises reuse and plastic reduction targets

PepsiCo has announced changes to its packaging sustainability strategy, confirming it will no longer pursue its previously stated goal of delivering 20% of all beverage servings through reusable formats by 2030. The company has also withdrawn its commitment to reduce the use of virgin plastic from non-renewable sources per serving, while adjusting other related objectives.

According to PepsiCo’s latest sustainability reporting, the share of beverages sold in reusable packaging formats remained at 10% in 2023 – the same level as when the original target was announced in 2022.

This development mirrors a similar shift from Coca-Cola, which made adjustments to its own reuse strategy in late 2024.

Matt Littlejohn, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Oceana, said:  By killing its reuse goal, and other goals that would actually reduce plastic packaging, Pepsi is hurting our oceans and the environment. Pepsi is one of the largest polluters in the world according to the Break Free from Plastic Brand Audit and has a responsibility to address its plastic problem.

The best way for Pepsi to reduce plastic pollution is not by abandoning goals but by dramatically increasing the use of refillable bottles – which can be used up to 50 times if made of glass. Just a 10% increase in reusable beverage packaging by 2030 can eliminate the need for over 1 trillion single-use plastic bottles and cups and could prevent 153 billion of these containers from getting into the world’s oceans and waterways.

Pepsi’s customers, employees, investors, and government officials who are concerned about the impact of plastics on our planet and health, should hold the company accountable. This should include pushing the company to reduce products sold in single-use plastic packaging, increase products sold in reusable packaging, and to report on the share of products sold in reusable formats.

PepsiCo has not ruled out exploring alternative sustainability initiatives and continues to invest in packaging innovation across its global operations.