Cases / Plastic waste and recycling claims · Global · 2018–2024
Ellen MacArthur plastics pledge off track; Coca-Cola scales back targets
Short record: the main facts, with sources. A full case file has not been prepared.
Nature's voice · report
No measurement of the harm done to me here is on record.
Did nature suffer? Not measured.
Not on record
- The record does not name which of my species, waters, soils or forests were harmed.
In 2018 hundreds of brands backed the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Global Commitment to make all plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. The foundation reported in November 2024 that signatories would probably miss their 2025 targets, and Coca-Cola then cut its packaging goals in December 2024.
What?
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation reported in November 2024 that signatories would probably miss their 2025 plastic packaging targets; Coca-Cola then scaled back its goals. Waste Dive
Where?
Global: brands and retailers that signed the Global Commitment; Coca-Cola's global packaging targets
When?
2018 pledge; 2025 target year; November 2024 progress report; December 2024 Coca-Cola changes Waste Dive
Who?
Gained
- Coca-Cola — Lowered its recycled-content, collection and reuse targets; the reuse target was dropped without a replacement figure Mongabay
Lost
None on recordHarmed
None on recordWhy?
Not stated in the sources reviewed.
How?
Voluntary brand pledges with company-set targets; the foundation's reporting measured progress against them.
6 of 6 questions answered from the record
What happened
The record, in order.
In 2018 hundreds of brands backed the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Global Commitment, aiming for all plastic packaging to be fully reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
In November 2024 the foundation reported that signatories would probably miss their 2025 targets: recycled content was 14% against a 26% goal, and virgin plastic use fell 3% against an 18% reduction goal (Waste Dive, 2024).
In December 2024 Coca-Cola dropped its 25% reusable-packaging target and moved its 2030 collection goal of 100% to 70–75% by 2035 (Mongabay, 2024).
Coca-Cola also moved its 2030 goal of 50% recycled content to 35–40% by 2035 (Packaging Dive).
In court and with insurers
Every proceeding and every insurer decision on record.
Lawsuits and rulings
No court case on record. No court has ruled on this case.
Insurers
No insurer decision on record.
What we don't know
Undisclosed, unproven, untried: recorded as data.
Nature
- Not measured Harm to nature: The record holds no measurement of harm to nature.
Record
- Insufficient Reported but not verified: Coca-Cola accounted for 11% of branded plastic waste in 84 countries of audits (Axios, 2024; secondary summary only).
- None on record The sources do not give Coca-Cola's reasons for the changes beyond its announcements.
Did the harm stop?
Not stated in the sources reviewed.
Who paid?
Not stated in the sources reviewed.
Sources
Voices on record: — Company or project— Government and regulators— Courts✓ Press and investigations— Communities and civil society— Researchers
Press and investigations
- Coca-Cola new packaging sustainability goals 2035Packaging Dive ·
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation progress report miss 2025 targetsWaste Dive · 2024-11-20
- Coca-Cola cuts back on reusable plastic pledgeMongabay · 2024-12
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