16/05/2026
Plastic makes up 45% of all beverage packaging globally. But only 25% of it gets recycled in the US.
That gap between what is recyclable and what gets recycled is one of the most important things to understand about drink packaging sustainability.
Here is what most people do not know:
— Over 70% of consumers now factor sustainability into their drink purchasing decisions. That is a majority.
— Aluminum is currently the strongest performer on recyclability. It can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality, and the process requires less energy than producing it from raw ore.
— Glass is endlessly recyclable and chemically safe, but it is heavier than plastic or aluminum, which means higher transport emissions. Context matters when comparing materials.
— Paper-based beverage packaging is projected to grow by 43% in the coming years, but liquid barrier coatings still complicate recyclability for many products.
— Plant-based packaging works well for still drinks. The carbonation challenge has not been fully solved yet for sparkling beverages.
The brands leading on this — Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling, Carlsberg, PepsiCo Europe are the ones that invested in systems and materials.
CCH made 100% of its primary packaging recyclable by design in 2022, three years ahead of its own target. Carlsberg's Snap Pack eliminated more than 1,200 tonnes of plastic annually by replacing plastic multipack rings with a small amount of adhesive glue. But not everyone is ahead of schedule. Danone achieved only 17% recycled content in 2024 against a 25% target. That is a sign of how structurally difficult this challenge is.
The full report — materials, regulations, brand performance, what consumers can actually do, and where the industry is headed by 2030 — is in our latest publication.
Read it here 👉 https://pinkybeverages.com/drink-packaging-sustainability/
The global beverage packaging market was valued at $176.57 billion in 2025 and is on track to reach $275.09 billion by 2034. That is a staggering amount of bottles, cans, cartons, and pouches — and…