Life Cycle Assessment of Coca-Cola: Environmental Impacts and Sustainability Strategies

This study examines the environmental and social implications associated with Coca-Cola products, which are widely recognized but also linked to several socio-environmental challenges such as obesity, plastic pollution, and water scarcity in vulnerable communities. The research aims to evaluate the sustainability performance of Coca-Cola through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), considering the company’s historical commitment to environmental evaluation and its alignment with international sustainability frameworks, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach was applied to analyze the environmental impacts associated with Coca-Cola products throughout their life cycle. Data were collected using a structured data collection tool and subsequently analyzed through the Odoo platform, which enabled the integration and management of variables related to product life cycle processes, resource consumption, and sustainability indicators. The results indicate that despite Coca-Cola’s significant efforts in sustainability reporting—such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing plastic waste, lowering sugar content, and promoting water conservation, there remain important challenges related to product management and environmental sustainability strategies. The analysis also revealed a noticeable reduction in Coca-Cola consumption among study participants. Although the sample size was limited, frequent consumption declined by approximately 45%, suggesting a behavioral shift among consumers. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening sustainability strategies and technological innovation in product life cycle management within the beverage industry. Furthermore, the observed reduction in consumption may indicate that the product is approaching the late maturity or decline stage of its product life cycle, emphasizing the need for companies to adapt their strategies to evolving consumer awareness and sustainability expectations.