Can the Soft Drink and Beverage Industry Help Solve the Microplastics Crisis?

Exploring the Role of the Beverage Industry in Tackling the Microplastics Crisis: Can Sustainable Practices Make a Difference?

What Are Microplastics, and Why Should We Be Concerned?

Microplastics in Food and Drink: A Growing Health Concern

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, typically smaller than 5mm, that originate from the breakdown of plastic waste. They are now found in our food, drinking water, and even the air we breathe.

Recent studies have revealed microplastics in bottled water, soft drinks, and even beer. These tiny particles can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, and even skin contact. Scientists are increasingly worried about the long-term effects of microplastics in the human body, linking them to hormone disruption, inflammation, and potential toxicity.

Microplastics in the Food Industry and Consumer Products

Microplastics have been detected in seafood, salt, and even fresh fruits and vegetables. The beverage industry, especially plastic bottled drinks, is a major contributor to this crisis. The question is: how can the food and drink industry step up and help reduce microplastic pollution?

How the Beverage Industry is Reducing Plastic Pollution

1. Coca-Cola’s Move Toward 100% Recycled Plastic Bottles

As one of the world’s largest plastic polluters, Coca-Cola has committed to using at least 50% recycled PET (rPET) bottles by 2030. In some markets, the company has launched bottles made from 100% rPET, reducing its environmental footprint and reliance on virgin plastic.

2. Carlsberg’s Paper Beer Bottles

Carlsberg is pioneering biodegradable beverage packaging with its fiber-based beer bottle, which uses a plant-based liner instead of traditional plastic. This innovation could serve as a model for other beverage brands looking to transition away from plastic.

3. JUST Water’s Sustainable Cartons

JUST Water has introduced plant-based packaging, using paper-based cartons with sugarcane-derived bioplastic caps. This significantly lowers its carbon footprint compared to single-use plastic bottles.

4. PepsiCo’s SodaStream and Refillable Models

PepsiCo is tackling plastic waste by promoting refillable beverage solutions through its SodaStream brand, which eliminates the need for single-use plastic bottles. The company is also testing compostable beverage packaging for some of its products.

What Beverage Brands and Manufacturers Must Consider

If you are a beverage manufacturer or brand owner, here are critical questions to ask:

• Are you using sustainable packaging in the beverage industry?

• Can your plastic bottles be replaced with recyclable or biodegradable alternatives?

• Are you investing in refillable beverage systems?

• How can you educate consumers about the dangers of microplastics in drinks?

Solutions for Reducing Microplastic Pollution in the Food & Drink Industry

1. Invest in a Circular Economy for Plastic Packaging

• Use 100% recycled plastic bottles (rPET).

• Support plastic bottle return schemes and closed-loop recycling.

• Experiment with biodegradable beverage containers and compostable materials.

2. Reduce Plastic Use in Beverage Packaging

• Transition to plastic-free drinks packaging using aluminum cans, glass bottles, or carton-based solutions.

• Eliminate unnecessary plastic elements such as shrink-wrap and plastic labels.

3. Increase Consumer Awareness of Microplastics in Food & Beverages

• Provide clear recycling instructions on packaging.

• Run educational campaigns about the dangers of microplastics in drinking water and soft drinks.

• Encourage consumers to opt for plastic-free drink options and refillable bottles.

4. Support Plastic Waste Cleanup & Research

• Partner with organizations working to remove plastic from oceans and rivers.

• Fund research into the health effects of microplastics in humans and support regulatory policies on sustainable packaging.

Final Thoughts: The Beverage Industry Must Lead the Change

Every plastic bottle ever produced still exists in some form today. If the food and drink industry is serious about solving the microplastics problem, businesses must rethink their packaging strategies, invest in sustainable beverage solutions, and educate consumers on making eco-friendly choices.

For consumers, the challenge is to become more mindful. Are the drinks you purchase contributing to plastic waste? Does your water bottle contain recycled materials? Will your plastic waste break down into microplastics that eventually return to your body?

For brands, this is a wake-up call. The companies that lead in sustainable packaging solutions and plastic-free beverage innovations will thrive in a future where sustainability is no longer optional—it’s essential

Devin Chohan

Brand to Buyer

Founder of Just Drink Aloe