Coca-Cola, one of the major offenders in the plastics pollution crisis, amazingly, is doing something good. This is at the same time the company backed off a commitment to more reusable packaging.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
Last week, Coca-Cola quietly dropped its commitment to deliver 25% of its products in reusable packaging by 2030, abandoning a critical plastic reduction pledge. Meanwhile, in El Paso, Texas, Coca-Cola is already proving that reusable systems work.
Our new 5-minute video, Exposed: Coke’s Secret Refill Pilot, hosted by actress Yareli Arizmendi, uncovers Coca-Cola’s thriving refillable glass bottle program that’s reducing waste, saving money, and delighting customers – all while the company publicly downplays the power of reuse.
For six years, Coca-Cola has been named the world’s biggest plastic polluter, despite its history of using the iconic refillable bottle. Globally, refillable systems are succeeding in 170 countries, representing 23% of the beverage market. And yet, Coke refuses to scale up reuse solutions in the U.S., even when its El Paso program shows it can be done.
Over 100 restaurants in El Paso are part of this program, proving that reuse is not only viable but preferred. Customers love it, businesses save money, and waste is dramatically reduced.
Watch the video now and see why it’s time for Coca-Cola to lead the way by mainstreaming reusable bottles in the beverage industry.
Together, let’s hold Coca-Cola accountable for the solutions it’s capable of delivering.
Onward,
Anna and The Story of Stuff Project
