Coca-Cola Weighs Plastic Use Amid Tariff Concerns

Coca-Cola is considering increasing the use of plastic bottles or raising product prices in response to President Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on aluminum imports, which could make aluminum cans more expensive. CEO James Quincey indicated that the company might emphasize PET plastic bottles to maintain affordability if aluminum costs rise significantly. While aluminum, being more recyclable, was part of Coca-Cola's sustainability strategy, the potential shift to plastic may hinder these efforts. Quincey noted that packaging costs are a relatively small part of the company's total expenses and downplayed the overall impact of the tariffs. Coca-Cola is also exploring domestic aluminum sourcing and price adjustments to mitigate the tariff's effects. The move to plastic could contribute to increased plastic pollution, conflicting with the company's environmental goals.