# data[].attributes.body
Should Coca-Cola stop greenwashing all their products?

# data[].attributes.body
1 Coca Cola Plz NW

Atlanta, GA 30313

# data[].attributes.body
they are slowly stopping their plastic use

increases sales

easy

# data[].attributes.body
they are lying to their customers

reduces trust

polluting the atmosphere.

leads to financial repercussions for the business

# data[].attributes.body
This source talks about what greenwashing is as well as why it is bad. According to the text “Companies are in a unique position to change how we consume but currently these claims – which we consider to be misleading – are making it hard for consumers to make good environmental choices.” This means that is it very easy for major companies to lie about being 100% environmentally friendly.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The complaint, by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), backed by environmental groups Client Earth and Environmental Coalition on Standards (Ecos), centres on claims by Coca-Cola, Danone, and Nestlé that their plastic water bottles are either 100 per cent recycled or recyclable.

In its complaint sent to the EC, BEUC warned: "We consider these environmental claims to be highly misleading and to constitute widespread infringements with an EU-wide dimension of Directive 2005/29/EC (the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive)."

It added: "These claims are vague, factually inaccurate, or otherwise not substantiated."

In addition, it said "they contribute to slowing down the green transition by presenting plastic as a sustainable option whereas its detrimental effects on the environment have been well-documented".

The complaint called on the EC to "start a co-ordinated enforcement action" and ask the companies to stop "misleading consumers".

It added that "circular imagery and generic environmental claims, statements and imagery on labels and in accompanying advertising should not be permitted".

'Greenwashing must stop'

Consumers are "bombarded with incorrect and deceptive claims, so they do not know which claim or label to trust," according to Ursula Pachl, BEUC deputy director-general. "Using '100 per cent recycled/recyclable' claims or displaying nature images and green visuals that insinuate that plastic is environmentally friendly is misleading consumers... This greenwashing must stop," she said.

Rosa Pritchard, plastics lawyer at ClientEarth, said: "Companies are in a unique position to change how we consume but currently these claims - which we consider to be misleading - are making it hard for consumers to make good environmental choices."

And Justin Wilkes, executive director of ECOS, called for clear rules over recycled content to end "the Wild West of green claims".

In response

A spokesperson for Coca-Cola Great Britain said: "We're working to reduce the amount of plastic packaging we use, and we're investing to collect and recycle the equivalent of the packaging we use."

They added: "We only communicate messages on our packaging that can be substantiated, with any relevant qualifications clearly displayed to enable consumers to make informed choices."

A Nestlé spokesperson said: "We work hard to reduce the amount of plastic packaging we use; to lead investments and support packaging circularity alongside partners, and to communicate clearly with consumers who want to make informed choices."

A spokesperson for Danone said: "We strongly believe in the circularity of packaging and will continue to invest and lead the campaign for better collection and recycling infrastructure alongside our partners."

In a joint statement, trade bodies Natural Mineral Waters Europe and UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe claimed the beverage sector "places great importance on clear and transparent communication towards the consumer".

They added: "PET beverage bottle bodies are 100 per cent recyclable" but admitted: "While some products do use very high or 100 per cent rPET in their bottles, this cannot yet be achieved for every bottle."

The statement said their members "will continue their efforts to provide easy-to-understand and useful information to consumers to help them make sustainable choices".

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Coca-Cola, Danone, and Nestlé in greenwashing row | News | Campaign Asia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Coca-Cola, Danone, and Nestlé have been accused of greenwashing by consumer groups that have made a legal complaint to the European Commission calling for a crackdown on 'misleading' claims over the recyclability of plastic bottles.

# data[].attributes.body
This article talks specifically about the lawsuit with Coca-Cola greenwashing. "The complaint alleges that those companies mislead consumers by claiming that their packaging is either 100% recycled or 100% recyclable. Coke has responded that its packaging claims can be substantiated." This means that they are lying to all their customers, and while they are working on being 100% recycled only about 90% of their bottles are recycled.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
COCA COLA COMPANY ACCUSED OF GREENWASHING SUSTAINABILITY CLAIM

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Environmental groups in the United States and Europe have filed complaints against Coca Cola and other companies accusing them of "greenwashing" their environmental sustainability claims. Companies are accused of greenwashing when they make claims that something is more eco-friendly, green, or sustainable than it really is.

# data[].attributes.body
This article talks about coke's claims about plastic bottles and also about ways to not be fooled by greenwashing. This article helps me understand what Coca-Cola is being accused of and how they claimed that they were slowly cutting their use of plastic.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
"A '100%' recycling rate for bottles is technically not possible and, just because bottles are made with recycled plastic, does not mean they don't harm people and planet." "It is important companies don't portray recycling as a silver bullet to the plastic crisis - instead they need to focus efforts on reducing plastic at source."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Coca-Cola and Nestle accused of misleading eco claims

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Consumer bodies say firms make misleading claims about plastic water bottles being "100% recycled".