The Coca-Cola Co. recently announced new packaging sustainability goals to achieve by 2035, focusing on packaging design and collection after use. These goals replace previous targets set for 2025 and 2030, which were related to recyclability, recycled content, and reusable packaging.
One of the new goals set by Coca-Cola is to use 35% to 40% recycled material in primary packaging, including plastic, glass, and aluminum. The company aims to increase recycled plastic use to between 30% and 35% globally. Another goal is centered around partnering to collect used packaging, with the aim of ensuring the collection of 70% to 75% of the equivalent number of bottles and cans introduced into the market annually.
While Coca-Cola did not specify any new goals related to reuse, they mentioned their intention to continue investing in refillable packaging where infrastructure already exists.
These new goals from Coca-Cola not only extend the target year for their sustainability efforts but also seem to narrow the company’s ambition. For example, under their World Without Waste campaign, Coca-Cola initially aimed to recycle the equivalent of 100% of its packaging by 2030, but now the focus is on partnering for the collection of three-quarters of the bottles and cans introduced into the market annually.
Coca-Cola acknowledged some challenges in implementing these goals, such as costs, quality, and scaling issues when increasing recycled content in packaging. The company highlighted the need for well-designed collection systems and emphasized the importance of collective action in achieving their sustainability targets.
However, the decision by Coca-Cola to not include specific goals related to reuse has drawn criticism from environmental groups like Break Free From Plastic. The organization expressed disappointment in Coca-Cola’s apparent shift away from reuse targets and highlighted the company’s low percentage of reusable plastic packaging in 2023.
Despite facing challenges in meeting their sustainability goals, Coca-Cola remains committed to making progress in this area. The company’s announcement comes amidst a wave of changes in packaging goals by brands, including competitors like PepsiCo. Coca-Cola’s participation in initiatives like the U.S. Plastics Pact and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s global commitment demonstrates their ongoing efforts to address plastic pollution and improve sustainability practices.
As Coca-Cola works towards achieving their new packaging sustainability goals by 2035, the company will need to navigate various complexities and challenges in the sustainability landscape to make a meaningful impact on the environment.
