Coca-Cola Faces Renewed Scrutiny Over Plastic Pollution Amid Sustainability Claims
Coca-Cola is once again under the spotlight for its continued reliance on plastic packaging, raising questions about the authenticity of its sustainability initiatives. According to marine conservation group Oceana, the beverage giant produced approximately 6.4 billion plastic bottles across just seven coastal countries in 2022—posing significant environmental risks, including to critical marine species such as sea turtles.
The company has publicly committed to sustainability targets, such as pledging to collect and recycle one bottle or can for every one it sells by 2030 and introducing refillable options across 20% of its beverage volumes. However, critics argue that these voluntary goals mask a long-standing dependence on single-use plastics. Oceana’s findings also indicate that Coca-Cola has been slow to scale truly impactful solutions like reusable packaging or alternative materials.
This comes as Coca-Cola retains its title as the world’s largest plastic polluter for the sixth consecutive year, according to Break Free From Plastic’s annual Brand Audit. The NGO and other environmental groups have accused the brand of “greenwashing”—promoting eco-friendly messaging without implementing meaningful systemic changes to lower plastic output.
Beyond reputational concerns, Coca-Cola’s plastic practices could soon face tighter regulations. The United Nations is currently negotiating a global plastics treaty, which could force fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies to phase out single-use plastics and increase accountability through mandatory targets. Activists and sustainability advocates argue that only regulatory pressure—not voluntary corporate pledges—will drive a real shift within the FMCG landscape.
Industry observers note that packaging innovation and a pivot toward circular business models will be crucial for FMCG brands navigating this new regulatory and consumer-driven environment. For Coca-Cola and its peers, the challenge remains: how to balance commercial performance with authentic environmental leadership that meets growing expectations from stakeholders, investors, and consumers alike.
With plastic pollution increasingly affecting consumer perception and regulatory momentum building globally, companies anchored to plastic-heavy packaging models may face mounting operational and reputational risks unless they accelerate meaningful change.