Beverage giants under fire for soaring plastic packaging usage

Oceana, an ocean conservation organisation, has called on Coca-Cola and PepsiCo to prioritise reusable packaging and reduce single-use plastics.

The beverage giants have seen a substantial rise in their plastic packaging usage, with both companies increasing their plastic consumption by hundreds of millions of pounds. The analysis, based on the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Global Commitment 2023 Progress Report, also highlighted limited progress in achieving recycling goals and incorporating recycled content in their packaging.

Both companies have pledged to raise the volume of beverages in reusable packaging, aiming for a 10% increase by 2030.

Matt Littlejohn, Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives: It is unacceptable that Coca-Cola and Pepsi are increasing their use of plastic by hundreds of millions more pounds year over year. The companies’ efforts and pledges are not solving this problem. The best way for Coca-Cola and Pepsi to stop this relentless growth in plastic is to dramatically increase the use of refillable bottles – which can be used up to 50 times if made of glass. Just a 10% increase in refillable bottles in all coastal countries in place of single-use plastic could reduce marine plastic bottle pollution by 22%.

The Coca-Cola Company in Canada recently announced that it will introduce 100% recycled plastic bottles for all 500mL sparkling beverages by early 2024.

Earlier this year, PepsiCo revealed its plans to eliminate all plastic rings on beverage multipacks across North America & Canada.