Coca-Cola's CEO said the company might use more plastic packaging in the U.S. if tariffs imposed by the Trump administration make aluminum cans too expensive.
João da Silva reports for BBC.
In short:
- Trump has ordered a 25% tariff on all imported steel and aluminum, which could raise prices for canned goods, including beverages.
- Coca-Cola recently scaled back its sustainability goal of using 50% recycled packaging by 2030, reducing the target to 35% to 40% by 2035.
- Environmental groups have named Coca-Cola the world's top plastic polluter for six consecutive years.
Key quote:
“If aluminum cans become more expensive, we can put more emphasis on PET [plastic] bottles.”
— James Quincey, CEO of Coca-Cola
Why this matters:
The Trump administration's decision to increase tariffs on Chinese aluminum imports has once again shined a spotlight on the environmental impact of beverage packaging. While aluminum cans are often praised for their high recyclability and lower long-term environmental footprint, they are also more expensive to produce. A shift toward plastic bottles, which are cheaper but far less likely to be recycled, could exacerbate the global plastic pollution crisis.
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