Wed Mar 26 11:40:13 UTC 2025: ## Coca-Cola Projected to Contribute Billions of Pounds of Plastic to Oceans by 2030, Oceana Report Reveals
**Washington, D.C.** – A new report by the environmental nonprofit Oceana reveals a stark projection: Coca-Cola products are estimated to contribute a staggering 1.33 billion pounds (602,000 metric tons) of plastic waste to the world’s oceans and waterways annually by 2030. This is enough plastic to fill the stomachs of 18 million whales, highlighting the company’s significant contribution to the global plastic pollution crisis.
The report, released Wednesday, uses Coca-Cola’s publicly reported packaging data and sales growth forecasts to model a “business-as-usual” scenario. By 2030, the company’s total plastic use is projected to exceed 4.13 million metric tons (9.12 billion pounds) annually. Applying a peer-reviewed methodology, Oceana estimates a substantial portion of this will end up in aquatic ecosystems.
Coca-Cola, the world’s largest beverage manufacturer, has been identified as the leading branded plastic polluter globally. Oceana argues that a shift towards reusable packaging, such as returnable glass bottles or durable PET plastic containers, is the most effective solution. While Coca-Cola previously pledged to reach 25% reusable packaging by 2030, this goal has since been dropped from its sustainability roadmap. The company now focuses on increasing recycled content and improving collection rates.
Matt Littlejohn, who leads Oceana’s campaigns targeting corporate polluters, criticized this shift, stating that overreliance on recycling merely shifts responsibility onto consumers without addressing the fundamental issue of excessive single-use plastic production. He emphasized that while recycling is important, using recycled plastic to create more single-use plastic is unsustainable.
Despite this, Coca-Cola operates large-scale refillable systems in several countries, demonstrating the feasibility of a more sustainable approach. A Coca-Cola spokesperson responded to the report, stating that while their current efforts focus on recycled materials and collection, they remain committed to expanding refillable packaging options. However, Oceana’s report underscores the urgent need for the company to prioritize reusable solutions to significantly reduce its environmental impact. The report also highlights the link between plastic production, fueled by oil, and climate change.
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