Despite the Paris Olympics' ban on single-use plastics, Coca-Cola will still serve millions of drinks in plastic bottles.
Marianne Gros reports for POLITICO.
In short:
- Spectators cannot bring plastic bottles, but Coca-Cola, the exclusive drink supplier, will still use millions of them.
- Coca-Cola claims logistical constraints prevent it from eliminating plastic bottles entirely.
- Environmental groups accuse Coca-Cola of greenwashing due to its high plastic use.
Key quote:
“It was a disappointment to us to hear that a lot of the beverages that are going to be poured into reusable cups at the games will be from single-use plastic bottles.”
— Dana Miller, director for strategic initiatives for Europe at global marine protection group Oceana
Why this matters:
The ongoing use of plastic bottles by a major Olympic sponsor undermines efforts to reduce plastic pollution and highlights the challenges of achieving sustainability at large-scale events.
