By 2030, Coca-Cola set to add over a billion pounds of plastic to global oceans

By 2030, Coca-Cola products are projected to contribute a staggering 602 metric kilograms of plastic waste into the world’s oceans and waterways every year, according to a report released by the nonprofit organization Oceana.

This estimate reveals the far-reaching environmental consequences of the beverage giant’s packaging practices.

An alarming estimate: 602 metric kilograms of plastic

This massive quantity of plastic waste is equivalent to nearly 220 billion half-liter plastic bottles. The report highlights that the plastic would be enough to fill the stomachs of 18 million whales, raising concerns about its impact on marine life and ecosystems.

Health risks of microplastics

The research comes amid growing global concern over the increasing presence of microplastics in the environment.

Scientists have increasingly linked these tiny particles to significant health risks, such as cancer, infertility, and heart disease, prompting calls for urgent action to tackle plastic pollution.

Coca-Cola leads as world’s top plastic polluter

According to a 2024 study published in “Science Advances,” Coca-Cola ranks as the world’s leading branded plastic polluter, followed by PepsiCo, Nestle, Danone, and Altria. The findings are particularly concerning given Coca-Cola’s dominant position as the largest manufacturer and seller of beverages globally.

Oceana’s projections are based on Coca-Cola’s publicly reported packaging data from 2018 to 2023, combined with future sales growth forecasts. The results suggest that Coca-Cola’s annual plastic use will exceed 4.13 million metric tons (9.12 billion pounds) by 2030.

Need for reusable packaging

For Oceana, the key solution to combating this overwhelming plastic pollution lies in returning to reusable packaging. Examples include returnable glass bottles, which can be reused up to 50 times, and thicker PET plastic containers, designed to be reused 25 times. These alternatives can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by the beverage industry.

Coca-Cola’s dropped commitment to reusable packaging

Despite the company’s recognition of the benefits of reusable packaging, Coca-Cola quietly dropped its 2022 pledge to ensure that 25% of its packaging would be reusable by 2030. The company’s updated sustainability goals now focus on increasing recycled content in packaging and improving collection rates, though critics argue that these measures fail to address the root causes of plastic pollution.

As Matt Littlejohn, who leads Oceana’s campaigns, noted, “Recycling is great, but if you’re going to use recycled plastic to produce more single-use plastic, that’s a problem.”

The production of plastic, which relies heavily on oil, is a direct driver of climate change. By continuing to use vast amounts of single-use plastic, companies like Coca-Cola are contributing to both plastic pollution and environmental degradation on a global scale.