"Excessive use of plastic packaging, failure to introduce world-class environmental packaging standards, and the gluttonous promotion of its products make the multinational an obvious target for a boycott" says Mr Peter Hopper, Project Officer for the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
"If Coke wants to continue attracting teenage consumers it had better begin trying to satisfy more than their taste-buds" warned Mr Hopper. "Todays youth are gravely concerned about the future of the planet but Coke is frustrating attempts to address the problem by opposing reasonable and honest attempts to do something about it."
"Coke's packaging policy is wafer-thin" claims Mr Hopper. "The company's annual report boasts the success of returnable refillable bottles in Europe but the company refuses to introduce them here."
Only in South Australia where the law requires Coke to take back its empties is there widespread use of returnable refillable containers. The South Australian Beverage Container Act, introduced in 1978 mainly as a litter control measure, requires a refundable-deposit be placed on all Coke (and other brand) soft drink containers to encourage their return. The one-litre refillable glass bottle, which has a 20c refundable-deposit, has a 97% return rate and is re-used more than 30 times.
"Community support for South Australia's Container Deposit Legislation (CDL) has been long-standing" says Mr Hopper. "A report released recently by the SA Government reveals that '99% of people are aware of the refund system, with 92% thinking it is effective and 95% supporting refundable deposits on drink containers.' Yet Coke has called for the removal of deposits from their plastic bottles and continues to oppose the expansion of CDL beyond South Australia."
In much of Europe and in many states of North America Coke drinkers are rewarded with a refund for protecting the environment when they return their empties. The 1.5 litre returnable refillable plastic Coke bottle used in Austria, for example, is very popular with manufacturers and consumers alike.
"Why isn't Coke giving its customers in Australia the same privilege and opportunity to protect the environment by using returnable refillable containers as exist overseas" asks Mr Hopper.
"Unless Coca-Cola faces up to its environmental responsibilities we'll drive its customers away" said Mr Hopper. "Given the company's enormous sales volume and the extensive network of organisations through which the boycott message can be conveyed, it won't take long to start having a noticeable effect. On-going competition from Pepsi with summer just beginning will see Coke at its most vulnerable - giving the boycott even sharper teeth."