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Coca-Cola is dramatically scaling back its plastic promises
In 2018, Coca-Cola announced that by 2030 it wanted to recycle the plastic equivalent of every bottle it put out into the world.
Coca-Cola changed its “voluntary environmental goals” this week. Florian Gaertner/Photothek/Getty Images
Coca-Cola is scaling back its packaging sustainability goals, igniting outrage from environmental activists.
CNN reported that the beverage company, which has long been criticized for being one of the world’s top producer of plastic pollutants, changed its “voluntary environmental goals” this week.
It now aims to use 35% to 40% recycled material in its packaging by 2035 — a drastic reduction from its previous goal of 50% by 2030.
Coca-Cola explained in a press release that its “evolution is informed by learnings gathered through decades of work in sustainability, periodic assessment of progress and identified challenges.” Coke is also changing its recycling goal.
In 2018, Coca-Cola announced that by 2030 it wanted to recycle the plastic equivalent of every bottle it put out into the world.
That’s been reduced to “ensure the collection” of 70% to 75% bottles and cans entering the market every year without naming an specific timeline.
Pollution from single-use plastic remains a major problem.
A recent report from the Minderoo Foundation found that companies are producing record amounts of plastic despite stated efforts to be more sustainable. Plastic is problematic because it’s mostly made from polymers created from dangerous fossil fuels.
“We remain committed to building long-term business resilience and earning our social license to operate through our evolved voluntary environmental goals,” Bea Perez, executive vice president for sustainability and strategic partnerships for the Coca‑Cola Company, said in a press release.
“These challenges are complex and require us to drive more effective and efficient resource allocation and work collaboratively with partners to deliver lasting positive impact.”
In response, environmental group Oceana bashed Coca-Cola for its “short-sighted, irresponsible” changes that are “worthy of widespread condemnation by its customers, its employees, its investors, and governments worried about the impact of plastics on our oceans and health.”
The company’s new and weak recycling-related pledges won’t make a dent in its overall plastic use,” Matt Littlejohn, Oceana’s senior vice president of strategic initiatives, said in a statement.
“Coca-Cola’s investors and governments around the world should take notice and take steps to hold the company accountable.”
Earlier this year, Coca-Cola rolled out new bottles for all versions of Coke sodas (i.e. zero sugar, diet, original, etc.) that are made from 100% recycled plastic.
The company estimated that the new bottles will reduce 83 million pounds of plastic used in its US supply chain, the equivalent of two billion bottles.
News
Sanwo-Olu says ₦4.4trn 2026 budget for prosperity of Lagos residents
The Lagos State House of Assembly had earlier passed the budget, tagged the “Budget of Shared Prosperity,” in January, approving the appropriation of ₦4,444,509,776,438 for the 2026 fiscal year.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, signed the ₦4.4 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law.
The Lagos State House of Assembly had earlier passed the budget, tagged the “Budget of Shared Prosperity,” in January, approving the appropriation of ₦4,444,509,776,438 for the 2026 fiscal year.
Sanwo-Olu said that the budget was designed to drive inclusive growth and improve the welfare of residents.
“Our mission remains clear: to build a Lagos that works for all, adding that his administration’s vision is to deliver a Greater Lagos where shared prosperity is a tangible reality.
Sanwo-Olu emphasised that the budget is anchored on four key pillars—human-centred development, modern infrastructure, a thriving economy, and effective governance—in line with the state’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda.
News
NOA DG Urges National Assembly to criminalise Fuel Scooping
The Director- General called on the National Assembly to urgently initiate and enact comprehensive legislation that will expressly criminalise the act of fuel scooping from fallen tankers and prescribe firm, clear, and deterrent penalties for perpetrators.
• Fuel scooping from a fallen tanker at Liverpool bridge, Lagos , Monday 19 January 2026.
The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has condemned the act of scooping fuel from a fallen tanker, as witnessed today at the Liverpool Bridge, Apapa area of Lagos State.
The Director- General therefore called on the National Assembly to urgently initiate and enact comprehensive legislation that will expressly criminalise the act of fuel scooping from fallen tankers and prescribe firm, clear, and deterrent penalties for perpetrators.
” This practice is completely unacceptable in a modern society and poses an extreme and avoidable threat to human life, public safety, and national infrastructure,” said Issa-Onilu .
He pointed out that the risks involved are not limited to those directly engaged in the act; the collateral danger to motorists, nearby communities, emergency responders, and critical assets is enormous and far outweighs any perceived or imagined benefit.
Issa-Onilu noted that the National Orientation Agency has, over the years, consistently deployed nationwide sensitisation and public enlightenment campaigns to conscientise Nigerians on the dangers inherent in fuel scooping and similar high-risk behaviours. Regrettably, despite sustained advocacy, repeated warnings, and value-reorientation efforts, some individuals have remained adamant and have continued to engage in this undesirable and life-threatening conduct.
The Director General stated unequivocally that this behaviour cannot be justified under any circumstances. “This is not poverty.
Poverty does not take away the sense in people’s heads, nor does it eliminate judgement or the instinct for self-preservation. What we are witnessing is a conscious, reckless, and criminal disregard for human life and public safety,” he said.
He recalled that Nigeria has, in the past, recorded several tragic incidents across different parts of the country where fuel tanker accidents led to explosions and infernos after people attempted to scoop fuel, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives. These recurring tragedies, he stressed, are painful reminders that this menace is recurrent, preventable, and must no longer be tolerated.In view of the grave danger posed by this practice, t
He emphasised that sustained public enlightenment must now be complemented by strong legal and enforcement frameworks to decisively end this deadly behaviour.
Issa-Onilu emphasised that this trend must not be allowed to continue, adding that Nigerians must collectively reject actions that repeatedly lead to mass casualties, national trauma, and avoidable loss of lives.
He reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to intensifying its value-reorientation and safety advocacy across the country.
“Human life is sacred and priceless. No situation, no (excuse, and no momentary gain should justify conduct that places lives in imminent danger,” said the Director – General.
Photo: People scooping the diesel
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA )and it’s sister agency – Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service , have averted the explosion of a 45,000 diesel tanker which upturned at Liverpool bridge outward Apapa, Tin Can Island, Lagos.
The tanker has been saved from secondary incident while security agents are doing their best to curtail the scooping crowd.
Watch the video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTsFWSXDoKB/?igsh=MTBsMzNhdmtuMzZrdw
Members of the public are urged to exercise EXTREME CAUTION to avoid any secondary incident from scooping product or lighting any flame near the area.
Motorists are advised to take alternative routes.
Sanwo-Olu says ₦4.4trn 2026 budget for prosperity of Lagos residents
NOA DG Urges National Assembly to criminalise Fuel Scooping
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