Exclusive: Campaigners say company’s apparent abandoning of 2030 pledge is a ‘masterclass in greenwashing’

Coca-Cola has been accused of quietly abandoning a pledge to achieve a 25% reusable packaging target by 2030 in what campaigners call a “masterclass in greenwashing”.

The company has been previously found by researchers to be among the world’s most polluting brands when it comes to plastic waste.

In 2022, the company made a promise to have 25% of its drinks sold in refillable or returnable glass or plastic bottles, or in refillable containers that could be filled up at fountains or “Coca-Cola freestyle dispensers”.

But shortly before this year’s global plastics summit, the company deleted the page on its website outlining this promise, and it no longer has a target for reusable packaging.

  • overload@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    8·
    16 hours ago

    Yeah, let’s try and change the habits of billions of people rather than the practises of 1 company. Way simpler and effective solution.

    In fact, let’s not even worry about the fact that the company in particular does everything in its power to keep people buying their product.

    • paysrenttobirdsEnglish
      31·
      14 hours ago

      I’m not trying to change billions of people’s habits, just a few that I know and love :)

      But, I don’t think I’m alone.

      Where is the button I push to dissolve CocaCola? Our pure hatred isn’t going to do it.

      Everyone wishes they could somehow multiply their own influence over the world, but being just one person is no reason to give in and do what they told you.

      Voting once a year with a Coke in your other hand is a recipe for status quo.

      • overload@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        1·
        13 hours ago

        I’m not advocating for people not doing things within their power and influence (i.e. influence their friends and family), but I think it’s clear that systematic collective change is more effective than expecting billions of people to change their individual choices.

        Advertising works, and Coca Cola Company has effectively endless resources for advertisement.

        We have to push to influence legislation that will force companies to comply. Otherwise we’re just complaining endlessly about people not doing the right thing while these companies freely profit at the expense of the environment.