…with Combined 5.7m Metric Tons
By Faridat Salifu
Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, two of the world’s largest beverage companies, have once again, been ranked as leading plastic polluters worldwide.
The two global giants have held position for five consecutive years, with Coca-Cola occupying the top post for six years running.
As earlier reported by US News and world report , Coca-Cola alone produces over 3.2 million metric tons of plastic each year, while PepsiCo generates roughly 2.5 million metric tons, contributing significantly to the world’s plastic waste crisis.
As awareness of the environmental impact of plastic waste grows, both companies have faced increasing scrutiny from environmental groups, governments, and consumers.
Critics argue that Coca-Cola and PepsiCo’s reliance on single-use plastic packaging has played a major role in global pollution, as plastic waste from beverage bottles accumulates on land, in waterways, and in oceans, breaking down into harmful microplastics that pose risks to wildlife and human health.
“These companies are among the biggest contributors to the plastic pollution problem globally,” a Break Free From Plastic spokesperson said. “Despite claims of commitment to sustainability, their reliance on single-use plastics continues to drive millions of metric tons of waste annually.”
The companies have responded with promises to improve recycling efforts and transition to a so-called “circular economy” model, where plastic bottles are theoretically collected, recycled, and reused repeatedly.
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However, environmental advocates argue this approach is misleading.
In reality, most plastic bottles can only be recycled once before losing quality and becoming non-recyclable waste, further exacerbating the problem.
In California, plastic pollution has reached alarming levels, with as much as 180,000 tons of plastic estimated to leak into land and ocean ecosystems in 2022 alone. These plastics contribute to seven of the ten most common items littering California’s beaches, according to local officials.
Plastics that break down into microplastics contaminate water supplies, impact soil and plant growth, and are even consumed by humans through contaminated food and beverages. A 2019 World Wildlife Fund study found that people may consume roughly 5 grams of plastic—about the size of a credit card—each week.
While both companies have pledged to reduce their environmental impact, critics contend that their current plastic production levels and reliance on single-use plastics undermine these commitments.
Consumer watchdogs and environmental groups continue to call on the corporations to shift away from single-use plastic and adopt genuinely sustainable alternatives.
In a recent legal challenge, Los Angeles County sued Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, alleging the companies have engaged in misleading practices about the recyclability of their plastic bottles.
The suit argues that these companies promote their products as environmentally friendly while failing to address the true scope of their environmental impact.
As demands for corporate accountability grow and lawsuits mount, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are under pressure to take more decisive action to reduce plastic pollution.
For environmental advocates, the stakes are high: with millions of tons of plastic waste generated each year, they say that meaningful progress will require a shift away from single-use plastic altogether.
