Research has linked several brands, including Coca-Cola, to a plastic production process that relies on fracking.
What happened?
Euronews reports that Stand.earth has found more than 25 well-known consumer brands linked to fracking operations in Texas’ Permian Basin, one of the world’s largest “carbon bombs” due to its massive impact on pollution that causes planet warming.
Fracking involves breaking up shale below the surface to extract natural gas and oil, which is accomplished by using a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals to be sprayed onto the rock.
The by-product is ethane, which is used to fuel the plastics industry. An investigation by Stand.earth found that much of Texas’ ethane is shipped overseas for use in plastic production.
Stand.earth observed that some of the brands associated with fracking in the Permian Basin include Coca-Cola, Unilever and Nestlé.
Why is fracking a concern?
The fracking process causes environmental damage and has significant impacts on local communities. For example, it could cause shaking or small earthquakes, and local water supplies could be contaminated by the gas. There are even videos of residents near fracking sites setting their tap water on fire, demonstrating the extent of the contamination.
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Yvette Arellano, founder and executive director of Fenceline Watch, a Houston-based grassroots environmental justice organization, told Euronews: “From toxic mining in the Permian Basin to toxic production along the Houston Ship Channel, the cost is irreversible damage to the health of our children — low birth weight and reproductive and developmental harm — spanning generations.”
Fracking is a way to harvest abundant energy, but extraction can be dangerous and destroy important habitats. At the same time, reliance on natural gas further slows the transition to non-polluting energy sources such as solar and wind.
Using ethane in plastics creates more problems. Plastic is one of the most polluting materials on earth. It does not degrade naturally, but breaks down into smaller and smaller particles, becoming microplastics that can enter the bodies of animals and humans and have been linked to various health problems.
The United Nations Environment Program states that 19 to 23 million tons of plastic enter aquatic ecosystems every year, polluting water sources, destroying important animal habitats, and posing a threat to marine life.
Coca-Cola is responsible for more than half of global plastic pollution, according to a study published in the journal Science Advances and summarized by Axios.
What steps is Coca-Cola taking to combat plastic pollution?
Coca-Cola participates in environmental initiatives – such as “A World Without Waste,” which pledges to make all packaging recyclable – but critics say it doesn’t go far enough.
The company says it will increase its global use of recycled plastics to 30-35% by 2035, but its links to fracking operations suggest it is still looking to create new plastics.
Delphine Levi Alvares, global petrochemicals campaign manager at the Center for International Environmental Law, told Euronews that brands often forget that “their main business is not packaging, but actually bringing the product to people.”
Using dirty fuel-based plastics is an option, not a requirement. Recycled plastics and bio-based plastics are safer alternatives. Even refillable or packaging-free designs are available.
Until companies commit to reducing plastic use, fracking will remain profitable. It’s important to recognize “greenwashing” – where companies promote environmentally friendly practices but fail to follow through on them – and support companies that are transparent about their packaging materials and work to prioritize choices that are sustainable for people and the planet.
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