The beverage company introduced two new targets centered on packaging design and collection after use, but did not set a specific emissions reduction goal for 2035.
- The Coca-Cola Co. announced Monday new packaging and other sustainability goals to reach by 2035. The two new packaging goals center on packaging design and collection after use and replace previous goals, including 2025 and 2030 targets related to recyclability, recycled content and reusable packaging.
- One new goal calls for using 35% to 40% recycled material in primary packaging (plastic, glass and aluminum), including increasing recycled plastic use to between 30% and 35% globally. The other new goal focuses on partnering to collect used packaging; the company aims to help ensure the collection of 70% to 75% of the equivalent number of bottles and cans introduced into the market annually.
- The beverage giant also called for reducing its scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions in alignment with a 1.5 degrees Celsius trajectory by 2035, compared to a 2019 baseline, but did not specify an emissions reduction target or figure. In a previous environmental update, Coca-Cola stated it had set a goal to cut absolute emissions by 25% by 2030 against a 2015 baseline. This target was not included in the latest iteration.
Coca-Cola’s new goals not only push out the target year across its goal areas, they also appear to narrow the company’s ambition. For instance, under the beverage giant’s World Without Waste campaign, the company sought in 2018 to recycle the equivalent of 100% of its packaging by 2030; now it’s focused on partnering on collection for three-quarters of the equivalent number of bottles and cans introduced into the market annually.