December 1, 2022
Despite decades of failure to recycle more than a very small percentage of its plastic packaging, the Coca-Cola Company is again trying to sell people on its recycling efforts. Coca-Cola has been declared the worst plastic polluter in the world. It pumps out 200,000 bottles a minute, an equivalent of 3 million tons of plastic packaging a year. Coca-Cola admits it produces 3m tonnes of plastic packaging a year | Coca-Cola | The Guardian.
Although Coca-Cola says it is trying to solve the plastic problem, the company is actually taking steps that are making it worse. In Samoa, the company bottles its beverages in reusable glass but has recently switched to single-use plastic only. The residents have reported a great increase in plastic pollution. Samoa has no recycling facilities to deal with the increased plastic. co*ke has offered a subsidy to help with the collection and recycling. (162) How can Coca-Cola solve its plastic problem? - BBC News - YouTube The company has a history of making promises that are nothing but PR spin. co*ke's recycled plastic bottle scheme criticized as PR spin by green groups | Plastics | The Guardian
Coca-Cola resists going from plastic bottles to aluminum cans for its beverages. In fact, Coca-Cola is releasing a small plastic bottle just slightly bigger than a can. Coca-Cola's plans to reduce plastic waste "simply don't go far enough" (dezeen.com) Many fear that plastic bottle will replace their aluminum cans. Aluminum can be recycled endlessly and has great value in the scrap market. Plastic can often only be recycled once and most often has negative value in the scrap market, which means payingsomeone to take it. Smaller bottles also create a bigger challenge to recycling.
There have been some attempts to use refillable plastic bottles on some college campuses, which is a preferable solution. Reusing a container greatly reduces the demand for plastic and thus its waste.
In June of 2021, the Sierra Club filed a lawsuit alleging false advertising by Coca-Cola and other plastic water bottle manufacturers regarding the recyclability of its plastic bottles. (Sierra Club Complaint (final)) Coca-Cola states that the bottles are 100% recyclable. The Sierra Club alleges the labels are #5 plastic, which is not recyclable. Even when the actual bottle reaches a recycling center, on average, 28% of the plastic that is recycled is lost in processing and due to contamination. In addition, many of the bottles do not reach recycling centers. Instead, they are burned, end up in landfills or discarded in the environment. (Sierra Club Sues Coca-Cola and Others Over Recyclability Claims | Sierra Club ) The Court recently dismissed the claims but has granted the Sierra Club leave to file an amended complaint.
Comments can be directed to Mike Buza at theoriginalzuba@yahoo.com
As an environmental enthusiast with a deep understanding of sustainability and waste management, I find the issue of plastic pollution, particularly in the context of major corporations like Coca-Cola, to be of great concern. My expertise is rooted in years of research, active participation in environmental advocacy, and a commitment to promoting sustainable practices.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts and issues presented in the article:
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Coca-Cola's Plastic Pollution:
- The article highlights Coca-Cola as the worst plastic polluter globally, generating a staggering 3 million tons of plastic packaging annually. This statistic positions Coca-Cola as a major contributor to the global plastic pollution crisis.
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Recycling Efforts and PR Spin:
- Despite Coca-Cola's attempts to portray itself as environmentally conscious through recycling initiatives, the article suggests that these efforts might be more about public relations than actual impact. The company's history of making promises that are perceived as mere PR spin raises skepticism about the authenticity of its commitment to solving the plastic problem.
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Switch to Single-Use Plastic in Samoa:
- The article provides a specific example in Samoa where Coca-Cola, despite initially using reusable glass bottles, has transitioned to single-use plastic. This change has reportedly led to increased plastic pollution in the region, exacerbated by the lack of recycling facilities. Coca-Cola's offer of a subsidy for collection and recycling is mentioned as a response to this issue.
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Plastic vs. Aluminum:
- Coca-Cola's resistance to transitioning from plastic bottles to aluminum cans is discussed. The concern is raised that the introduction of a small plastic bottle, similar in size to a can, might lead to the replacement of more sustainable aluminum cans. The recyclability and market value of aluminum are emphasized, contrasting with the limited recyclability and negative market value of plastic.
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Recyclability Claims and Lawsuit:
- The Sierra Club's lawsuit against Coca-Cola and other plastic water bottle manufacturers is detailed. The Sierra Club alleges false advertising regarding the recyclability of Coca-Cola's plastic bottles, specifically claiming that the bottles labeled as 100% recyclable are made from #5 plastic, which is not recyclable. The dismissal of the initial claims but the allowance for an amended complaint is also mentioned.
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Challenges of Plastic Recycling:
- The article highlights challenges in plastic recycling, noting that even when plastic bottles reach recycling centers, an average of 28% of the plastic is lost due to processing and contamination. Additionally, many bottles do not make it to recycling centers, contributing to environmental pollution through burning, landfill disposal, or littering.
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Refillable Plastic Bottles:
- The concept of using refillable plastic bottles on college campuses as a preferable solution to single-use bottles is briefly mentioned. The emphasis is on the potential reduction in plastic demand and waste through the promotion of reusable containers.
In conclusion, the article paints a comprehensive picture of Coca-Cola's plastic pollution issues, its recycling efforts, and the broader challenges associated with plastic waste management. The Sierra Club's legal action adds another layer of complexity to the narrative, questioning the veracity of Coca-Cola's recyclability claims.
