Coca-Cola quietly rolls out major change to its drinks

Coca-Cola has quietly rolled out a huge change to its drinks and you might not have noticed it.

The decision has been introduced in order to make more positive changes to the company's plastic footprint, with Coca Cola estimating that the change will save around 220 tons of plastic annually.

The new eco-friendly changes have started to be rolled out - although, not yet in the US - featuring recyclable paper, cardboard handles and wraps, instead of plastic options.

For example, on six-packs of 1.5 litre bottles, recyclable corrugated paper and cardboard handles will be used instead of plastic.

The new packaging has been developed alongside Coca-Cola HBC Austria, DS Smith, and Krones, with DS Smith President Stefano Rossi explaining: “We are proud to partner on this innovative packaging solution, driving out unnecessary waste and single-use plastic. The DS Smith Lift Up concept was designed using DS Smith’s Circular Design Metrics approach, so it uses the least amount of material possible, reduces impact on the environment, and looks fantastic in stores and supermarkets."

Coca-Cola has been criticised for its plastic use (Getty Stock Photo)

Coca-Cola has been criticised for its plastic footprint, producing more than 100 billion single-use plastic bottles each year.

Oceana has warned that by 2030, the brand could add approximately 1.3 billion pounds of plastic waste to oceans around the globe.

In 2025, Oceana wrote: "Coca-Cola needs to take real action that can address its plastic problem now, namely replacing single-use packaging with reusable packaging. Investors must understand that Coca-Cola’s persistent reliance on plastic is exacerbating pollution, environmental degradation, and climate change. They must put pressure on the company to reduce its use of plastic through increasing reusable packaging."

(DS Smith)

Meanwhile, Greenpeace Africa Project Lead Hellen Kahaso Dena has questioned the company's commitment to reducing plastic, writing on the Greenpeace website: “If Coca-Cola is really serious about solving the plastic and climate crisis, it needs to stop its greenwashing, cap its plastic production, and invest in refill and reuse. Ending Coca-Cola’s addiction to single-use plastic is an important step in moving away from fossil fuels, protecting communities in Africa, and combating the climate crisis."

FOODbible has reached out to Coca-Cola for comment.

Greenpeace has questioned the brand's commitment (Getty Stock Photo)

In other sustainability news, McDonald's has been forced to U-turn on its eco-friendly, paper coffee lids, after customers complained over the durability.

In a statement, the fast-food chain told FOODbible: “We’re constantly listening to customer feedback, and we continue to innovate our packaging just like our menu. Last year we moved to moulded fibre McCafe cup lids as part of our journey to 100% of our packaging being made from renewable, recycled, or certified sources.

"However, on this occasion the innovation didn’t meet expectations and customers told us they weren’t satisfied. Our goal remains firmly in place, but we will be temporarily returning to plastic lids while we find a suitable alternative that performs to the standards we require.”