Coca-Cola has lowered some of its environmental targets related to the use of recycled materials in its packaging. Specifically, while the U.S. giant had set a target of using 50% recycled materials in its product packaging by 2030, these targets have now been reduced to 35% to 40% by 2035.
The company had previously committed to collecting and recycling one bottle or can for every one sold by the end of the decade, and now guarantees to collect “70% to 75% of the equivalent of bottles and cans brought to market annually”. “70% to 75% of the equivalent of bottles and cans brought to market annually,” reports the Financial Times.reports the Financial Times.
According to a report by the manufacturer itself, its network generated 5.97 million tons of packaging in 2023, a sum that included 137 billion plastic bottles and 74 billion aluminum and steel bottles and cans.
In any case, the company has defended itself and assures that it remains “committed to building long-term business resilience.” “These challenges are complex and require us to drive a more effective and efficient allocation of resources and work collaboratively with our partners to generate a lasting positive impact,” said Bea Perez, executive vice president and global head of communications, sustainability and partnerships.Bea Perez, executive vice president and global head of communications, sustainability and strategic partnerships at The Coca-Cola Company, emphasized.
ECOLOGISTS CONDEMNATION
This backtracking on sustainability has drawn immediate condemnation from environmental organizations. “We’re very disappointed,” said Kelly McBee, head of circular economy at As You Sow, a California nonprofit that applauded Coca-Cola’s earlier commitment on packaging. “Now, to see it completely taken off the table, it’s pretty devastating,” she added.
For his part, Matt Littlejohn, senior vice president of strategic initiatives at the ocean conservation organization Oceana, has called the multinational’s new packaging targets “short-sighted, irresponsible and deserving of widespread condemnation from its customers, its employees, its investors and governments concerned about the impact of plastics on our oceans and our health”. “short-sighted, irresponsible and deserving of widespread condemnation from its customers, its employees, its investors and governments concerned about the impact of plastics on our oceans and our health.”. “The company’s weak new commitments on recycling will have no impact on overall plastic use,”he assured.
Beverage companies face numerous lawsuits over their plastic production. Last October, Los Angeles County sued Coca-Cola and Pepsi for allegedly claiming that the plastic containers “are recyclable”despite knowing that plastics cannot be easily disposed of without the associated environmental impacts.
In another development, Coca-Cola has also backed away from its goal of sourcing all priority agricultural ingredients in accordance with its Principles for Sustainable Agriculture, which cover issues such as labor rights and forest conservation. The multinational has stated that it will continue to seek to. “support sustainable sourcing”.
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