NEW YORK (CNA) – Coca-Cola, under pressure from environmentalists over its packaging policies, has pledged to use reusable containers for at least 25 per cent of its beverages by 2030.
The soda giant announced the pledge on Thursday, saying it would be implemented globally through the glass and plastic bottles it sells to consumers and through the containers used at soda fountains and dispensers.
Refillable containers accounted for about 16 per cent of total volumes in 2020, Coca-Cola said.
“Reusable packaging is among the most effective ways to reduce waste, use fewer resources and lower our carbon footprint in support of a circular economy,” said senior director of packaging and climate at Coca-Cola Ben Jordan.
But the coalition #Breakfreefromplastics, which has rated the company the world’s top plastic polluter because of its historic use of single-use plastic containers, offered only measured praise.
“Coke’s announcement that they are expanding their reusable packaging target globally is definitely a step in the right direction,” said global corporate campaigns coordinator for the group Emma Priestland.
“The company’s string of broken promises in the past, however, compels us to welcome this announcement with some scepticism.”
