The Coca-Cola Company has announced a series of revised 2035 environmental goals, updating its targets in water, packaging, and emissions. The company’s new goals include scaling back its ambition to increase recycled materials in packaging from 50% by 2030 to 35-40% by 2035.
Coca-Cola had set ambitious targets for its “World Without Waste” initiative, including making 100% of its packaging recyclable by 2025 and collecting and recycling a bottle or can for each one sold by 2030. However, the company has now lowered these goals, citing challenges in achieving them.
In addition to changing its packaging goals, Coca-Cola has removed its goal to have at least 25% of beverages sold globally in refillable containers. Instead, the company will focus on using recycled materials in primary packaging and improving collection rates.
The company’s water management targets remain unchanged, with a commitment to return more than 100% of used water to nature and communities since 2015. However, its climate goal has been revised to aim for reduced Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions in line with a 1.5°C trajectory by 2035.
Coca-Cola also abandoned its goal to source 100% of priority agricultural ingredients sustainably, but vowed to continue supporting sustainable sourcing initiatives through partnerships with suppliers and stakeholders.
“We remain committed to building long-term business resilience and earning our social license to operate,” said Bea Perez, Executive Vice President. “We know we can’t do it alone and will continue to work collaboratively with partners to deliver lasting positive impact.”
Source: https://www.esgtoday.com/coca-cola-scales-back-sustainable-packaging-agriculture-goals