Coca-Cola accounted for 11 percent of branded plastic pollution in the world, according to a study, and is one of the world’s top contributors to plastic pollution.

Coca-Cola can also find domestic aluminum sources and increase the price for customers, CEO James Quincey said.

Coca-Cola considers more plastic bottles amid Trump's aluminum tariffs, as CEO Quincey weighs cost strategies.

Coca-Cola is considering a return to plastic bottles as it grapples with rising aluminum costs from President Donald Trump’s import tariffs.

Leaders of soda makers, local breweries and major automakers across the U.S. are scrambling to prepare for the impacts of incoming tariffs on steel and aluminum imports that are essential to their production. Announced by the Trump administration earlier this week, the 25 percent tariffs are expected to take effect on March 12.

James Quincey told investors that Coca-Cola could pivot to more plastic packaging if aluminum prices surge due to Trump's 25% import tax on steel and aluminum.

Coca-Cola’s exposure to aluminum and steel is a little more than a quarter of the company’s packaging mix, as of 2023 . Meanwhile, if Coca-Cola moved more product into plastic, it would expand a substrate that already accounted for nearly half of its packaging.

ATLANTA, GA — Coca-Cola is saying it will shift to using more plastic bottles if new aluminum tariffs kick in next month. CEO James Quincey announced the move this morning during a conference call. He cited “ensuring affordability” as a primary reason if aluminum cans become more expensive.

Coca-Cola may use more plastic bottles in the future over cans in the wake of President Donald Trump’s announced 25% tariff on aluminum imports.