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Did you know
that in Argentina, France, Mexico, Germany, Sri
Lanka, Brazil, Austria, Texas and more you can
get a Coca-Cola drink without the
single-use plastic? The company has
numerous existing reuse and refill programs
around the world, both old and new.
So why aren’t these more
widespread? And why are Coke’s
reuse numbers going down, despite their pledge
to expand reusables just last year?
The Coca-Cola
Company is the largest consumer-facing global
seller of plastics, producing 134 billion –
almost one quarter (23%) – of the world’s PET
plastic bottles. Coke alone could make a huge
impact in reducing carbon emissions and plastic
production by scaling its reuse
programs.
These major corporations have the
resources, infrastructure and means to expand
reuse programs. They’ve proven they can
do it, because they already do. But they don’t
because they don’t have to.
Companies have shown us again and
again that we can’t rely on their voluntary
promises.
Rather, we need to pass policies and
legislation that hold these companies
accountable for achieving meaningful change —
and that’s what we’re gearing up for next year
in 2024.
Legislation serves as a baseline so companies
can’t get away with doing the bare minimum
anymore. We need binding reusable packaging
targets and refill quotas. Such laws have
already been enacted and seen success in
countries like Germany and Chile.
A
policy-forward solution will divert billions of
plastic bottles from landfills and the
environment, lower greenhouse gas emissions and
protect frontline communities, all while
demonstrating how we can build a reusable
economy.
Ready to get involved
right
away? Join
our photo project documenting Coca-Cola's ads
and greenwashing. There seems to be a
gap between what Coke is marketing and what the
company is actually doing, so we’re keeping
track. Your submissions are helping us develop
the next part of this campaign.
We envision
expanding reuse and refill programs
in Russia and around the world. It’s not a
far-off dream. The solutions already exist, and
we’re continuing to push companies and
policymakers to make it happen.
Let’s bring
back refill!
Alex and the Story of
Stuff team 
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