A new environmental study has found that Coca-Cola is the largest contributor to plastic pollution worldwide, topping the list for the fifth year in a row. The report, compiled by Break Free From Plastic, analyzed millions of pieces of waste collected from cleanup drives across more than 80 countries, revealing that Coca-Cola-branded packaging was the most frequently found plastic waste.
The study highlights that single-use plastic bottles, caps, and labels from the beverage giant are ending up in oceans, rivers, and landfills at an alarming rate. Despite Coca-Cola’s public pledges to address plastic waste, including goals to recycle every bottle or can it sells by 2030, environmental groups say progress has been slow and insufficient.
“The sheer scale of Coca-Cola’s plastic footprint is staggering,” said a spokesperson from the campaign. “It’s time for the company to move beyond promises and take real, systemic action to end its reliance on single-use plastics.”
The findings have reignited calls for global plastic treaty negotiations to hold major polluters accountable and push for alternatives such as reusable packaging and bottle deposit systems.
Coca-Cola has responded to the study by reaffirming its commitment to sustainability, stating that it is investing in plant-based bottles, improving recycling infrastructure, and increasing the amount of recycled material in its packaging.
Environmental activists, however, argue that the problem is not just about recycling—it’s about reducing plastic production at its source.
