Kiera Jefferson
The production, transportation, and disposal of plastic bottles contribute significantly to carbon emissions. In 2018, an estimated 21-34 billion plastic drink bottles were found in the world's oceans, contributing to the growing plastic waste crisis. The plastic waste generated by the soda industry is just one aspect of its environmental impact. The water and resources used in soda production, as well as the pesticides, fertilizers, and artificial sweeteners involved, also contribute to pollution and environmental degradation. The carbon dioxide (CO2) released from a single bottle of soda is relatively small, estimated at 2-3 grams of CO2, but the cumulative impact of billions of bottles consumed globally is significant. This raises important questions about the environmental footprint of the soda industry and the need for more sustainable practices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Carbon dioxide content in a can of soda | 2-3 grams of CO2 |
| Carbon dioxide content in a can of Coca-Cola | 2.2 grams of CO2 |
| Water used to produce a 1-liter sugary drink | 5 liters |
| Water sources for soda production | Public reservoirs, worsening water problems in drought-prone areas |
| Environmental impact of soda ingredients | Loss of wild habitat, pesticide use, fertilizer runoff, water contamination |
| Impact of artificial sweeteners in soda | Enter water sources unprocessed, potentially toxic compounds when they break down in sunlight |
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What You'll Learn
Carbon emissions from production and transport
The production and transportation of soda are associated with significant carbon emissions. The carbonation process, which gives soda its fizz, involves capturing and utilising carbon dioxide (CO2) from power plant exhausts. While this approach prevents the direct release of CO2 into the atmosphere, the gas ultimately escapes when the beverage is opened, contributing to global warming. Notably, the CO2 used in carbonation is derived from the same sources that emit tailpipe emissions, exacerbating climate change.
The production of soda also entails substantial water usage, with more than five litres of water required to produce a single litre of sugary drink. This extraction can contribute to water scarcity, particularly in drought-prone areas, and lead to environmental degradation. Additionally, the production process relies on pesticides, fertilisers, and oil for harvesting and transportation, further contributing to carbon emissions.
The type of sweetener used in soda also impacts its carbon footprint. Regular soda, which contains sugar derived from sugarcane, sugar beets, or corn syrup, has a higher carbon footprint due to factors such as water contamination, habitat loss, and pesticide use. On the other hand, diet soda, which contains artificial sweeteners, has a lower carbon footprint, but these sweeteners can pass through wastewater treatment plants unprocessed, eventually reaching waterways and breaking down into potentially toxic compounds.
The environmental impact of soda extends beyond carbon emissions. Plastic bottles generate an enormous carbon footprint during their manufacture, transport, and disposal. If not recycled, these bottles contribute to plastic pollution in incinerators, landfills, and the environment, including our oceans. The plastic waste produced by multinational soda companies is a significant contributor to the decline in planetary health.
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Water usage in production
The water footprint of a product includes all freshwater used in its production, including the water used for packaging. According to the Water Footprint Network, it takes 170 to 310 liters of water, or 45 to 82 gallons, to produce half a liter of soda. However, other sources suggest that the amount of water used in soda production can be even higher. For example, in 2022, the Coca-Cola Company's water use ratio was 1.97 liters of water used per liter of product produced. This means that for every liter of Coca-Cola product, almost two liters of water were used in its production.
It's important to note that the water footprint of a product is not just limited to the water used in the factory but also includes the water needed to grow the raw materials, create the packaging, and everything else that goes into each product. In the case of Coca-Cola, most of the water used in production is for growing sugar beets to sweeten the beverage. For example, in Holland, it takes 28 liters of water to grow the sugar beets for a half-liter bottle of Coke. Additionally, it takes seven liters of water to make the PET plastic bottle and 0.4 liters of "operational water" for the bottling process.
The water footprint of a product can vary depending on the location of its production. For example, SABMiller, a brewer, found that it took 180 liters of water to produce a liter of its beer in Tanzania, 155 liters in South Africa, 61 liters in Peru, and 62 liters in Ukraine.
The beverage industry, including soda producers, has come under scrutiny for its high water usage, especially in water-stressed regions. There is a growing concern about water scarcity due to factors such as a growing global population, increasing wealth in the developing world, and climate change. As a result, beverage companies are working to reduce their water consumption and improve their water footprint.
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Plastic bottle waste
The water used in soda production also contributes to environmental issues. More than five litres of water are needed to produce a single one-litre sugary drink. This water is often sourced from public reservoirs, contributing to water scarcity and crises. Additionally, soda production uses significant water resources, pesticides, fertilizers, and oil for harvesting and transportation. The environmental impact of the sugar sources for soda, such as sugarcane, sugar beets, or corn syrup, includes habitat loss, pesticide use, fertilizer runoff, and water contamination. Sugarcane, for example, requires large amounts of water and causes heavy erosion.
Artificial sweeteners in diet sodas have their own set of problems. While they have a lower carbon footprint than regular sodas, artificial sweeteners are not easily processed by the body and pass through wastewater treatment plants unprocessed. These sweeteners then enter water sources, as evidenced by the presence of sucralose in water samples across North America. Recent studies indicate that when these sweeteners reach waterways, they break down in the sun into potentially toxic compounds, with unknown effects on ecosystems.
The plastic waste generated by the soda industry has far-reaching consequences. Civil society partners are working together to expose the devastation caused by soda companies and limit their influence. Earth Day initiatives, such as "Planet vs. Plastics," aim to hold these companies accountable for their environmental impact and encourage a reduction in plastic waste. It is essential to recognize the role of individual actions in mitigating plastic bottle waste, such as minimizing soda consumption or opting for more environmentally friendly alternatives.
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Waterway pollution
The manufacture, transport, and disposal of plastic bottles contribute significantly to waterway pollution. Plastic bottles that are not recycled end up in incinerators, landfills, or the environment, including waterways and oceans. In 2018, an estimated 21-34 billion plastic drink bottles were found in the world's oceans, contributing up to 1.1 million metric tons of plastic waste. This plastic waste can break down into microplastics, which are smaller than a sesame seed, and even smaller nanoplastics, which are invisible to the naked eye. These microplastics and nanoplastics can enter our food and water, posing potential health risks to humans and animals.
The bottled soda industry is a significant contributor to this plastic pollution crisis. Multinational soda companies have been identified as the world's top plastic polluters, with their plastic waste ending up in waterways and oceans. The production of soda also has environmental impacts beyond plastic pollution. The sugar in regular soda often comes from sugarcane, which requires large amounts of water and can cause heavy erosion and water contamination. The use of high fructose corn syrup as a sweetener also has environmental consequences, including habitat loss, pesticide use, and fertilizer runoff.
Artificial sweeteners in diet soda have their own set of environmental concerns. While they have a lower carbon footprint than regular soda, artificial sweeteners are not easily processed by the body and can pass through wastewater treatment plants unprocessed. These sweeteners have been found in water samples across North America, and studies suggest that they can break down into potentially toxic compounds when exposed to sunlight. The widespread distribution of these artificial sweeteners in aquatic environments could have unknown effects on ecosystems.
The entire production process of soda, including the extraction of water, contributes to waterway pollution. Water extraction for soda production can worsen water problems in drought-prone areas, and the use of water from public reservoirs can contribute to water crises. The bottled soda industry's growth distracts attention and resources from funding the public-water infrastructure needed in many countries. Additionally, the water used in soda production often comes with a heavy ecological footprint, involving pesticides, fertilizers, and oil for transportation.
To address waterway pollution caused by the soda industry, efforts should focus on reducing plastic waste and holding multinational soda companies accountable for their environmental impact. Civil society partners are working to inform the public about the effects of bottled sugary drinks and create demand for change. The promotion of reusable water bottles and alternatives to single-use plastic bottles is also crucial in mitigating waterway pollution.
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Carbon dioxide released from the drink
Carbonated drinks contain carbon dioxide (CO2) gas dissolved in the liquid. When the bottle is opened, the excess gas escapes, and the remaining CO2 collects on any available surfaces, forming bubbles. The amount of CO2 in a can of Coca-Cola is estimated to be around 2.2 grams, or 0.05 mol. This amounts to about 0.14 mol of carbon dioxide per litre of soda.
The CO2 in carbonated drinks is typically a by-product of power plants, meaning it would have been released into the atmosphere anyway. While fizzy drinks do release CO2, this is a tiny proportion compared to overall human CO2 emissions. For example, the average person in the UK emits approximately 17 kg of CO2 per day, far exceeding the 2-3 grams of CO2 in a can of soda.
The manufacture, transport, and disposal of plastic bottles used for soda contribute significantly to the carbon footprint of the industry. Billions of plastic bottles end up in incinerators, landfills, or the oceans each year, causing enormous environmental damage. Additionally, the production of soda can worsen water problems in poor regions, as factories may discharge toxic effluents into the environment and deplete water sources.
The sugar in regular soda also has environmental implications, including habitat loss, pesticide use, and fertilizer runoff. Sugarcane, in particular, requires large amounts of water and causes heavy erosion and water contamination. On the other hand, artificial sweeteners in diet soda may pass through wastewater treatment plants unprocessed and enter water sources, potentially leading to the formation of toxic compounds.
While the CO2 released from a single bottle of soda may seem insignificant, the cumulative impact of the soda industry's plastic waste, water usage, and pollution contributes to the decline of planetary health.
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to provide an exact figure, but a can of Coca-Cola contains around 2.2 grams of carbon dioxide, which is released into the atmosphere when the drink is opened. This is a small amount compared to the average person's total carbon dioxide emissions, but it contributes to the overall greenhouse effect. The production and transportation of soda also generate a significant carbon footprint.
The entire production process of soda uses significant water resources, pesticides, fertilizers, and even oil for harvesting and transportation. The sugar in regular soda comes from sugarcane, sugar beets, or corn, each of which has its own environmental impacts, including habitat loss, pesticide use, and fertilizer runoff.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners are less clear. While they have a lower carbon footprint than sugar, they are not easily processed by the body and can pass through wastewater treatment plants unprocessed, ending up in water sources. Recent studies have shown that when these sweeteners reach waterways, they can break down into potentially toxic compounds.
The manufacture, transport, and disposal of plastic bottles generate an enormous carbon footprint. Billions of plastic bottles end up in incinerators, landfills, or as pollution in the environment and waterways. In 2018, an estimated 21-34 billion plastic drink bottles were found in the world's oceans, equivalent to up to 1.1 million metric tons of plastic waste.
Individuals can minimize their intake of soda or cut it out of their diet completely. Civil society organizations are also working to limit the influence of soda companies and create healthier food environments through evidence-supported policies. Supporting these organizations and advocating for better regulation of the soda industry can help reduce the environmental impact of soda production and consumption.
