Eco Etiquette: How Bad For The Environment Is Diet Coke?

Send all your eco-inquiries to Jennifer Grayson at [e-mail]. Questions may be edited for length and clarity.

I live a pretty green lifestyle, though I'm embarrassed to admit that I have one habit that's not so eco-friendly -- my love of Diet Coke. I have to have at least one a day. Really, how bad is it for the environment?

-Marty

When it comes to going green, image counts for a lot. You may have just outfitted your entire house with solar panels, but order up one diet soda to go with your sprout-topped double veggie burger, and all of a sudden your eco-conscious friends think you're a junk food-loving slob. I'm hyperbolizing of course, but it does call to mind the paradoxical (yet all-too-common) image of the weight-conscious American hitting up the drive-thru: I'll take a double cheeseburger, large fry, and a Diet Coke, please! That's probably why my environmental consultant friend apologizes every time we lunch and she orders up a diet pop, as she calls it. She knows it looks bad, but like you, she just can't help herself.

I'm not one to harshly judge such eco-vices; even the most dedicated environmentalists among us have at least one (mine: Pantene conditioner), and an occasional indulgence in a diet soda isn't likely to break the global warming bank. But if you're drinking at least one a day, you might be surprised to know that there are some interesting environmental ramifications for your beloved beverage -- aside from the already well-publicized negative ones regarding your health, like increased risk of weight gain and a decline in kidney function.

While the arguments below may also apply to other beverages packaged in bottles and cans (e.g., regular soda and bottled water), let's, for argument's sake, give exhibit A -- Diet Coke -- a thorough eco-examination.

The aspartame: Likely genetically modified, since it's made using a fermentation process involving corn and soy, two of the biggest GM crops. Switching to regular Coke won't get you off the hook, either (at least not in the United States), since the sweetener used -- high fructose corn syrup -- is made from genetically altered corn. Think you're only polluting your own body? A study last year by German researchers found that artificial sweeteners may be contaminating our drinking water, since sewage treatment plants don't seem to be effective at removing them from waste water.

The plastic bottle: Twenty-five percent recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), 75 percent good old-fashioned fossil fuel-based plastic. The bottled water industry gets a bad rap (deservedly so) for the 17 million barrels of oil a year used to produce its plastic bottles, but let's not forget that your 20-ouncer of DC is packaged exactly the same way. Or that Coca-Cola also owns Dasani.

The glass bottle: Super cool looking, not so cool for the environment: Retro-style Diet Coke has twice the carbon footprint of Diet Coke in the can, thanks to heavier transportation loads (read: more fuel). And although glass containers are infinitely recyclable, US consumers recycle only about a quarter of them.

The can: Made from half virgin aluminum -- an abundant resource that unfortunately is environmentally destructive to mine: The aluminum industry uses as much electricity as the entire continent of Africa, and a ton of toxic chemicals is left behind for every ton of the metal produced.

The can lining: Contains packaging additive bisphenol A (BPA), a toxic chemical that's been linked to cancer, sexual development abnormalities, and heart disease, among other serious health conditions. A Health Canada study last year found BPA levels in soda to be below what's been deemed a "safe limit," but other studies have found even extremely low doses of the chemical to spur cancer cell growth in test animals.

The water: Comprises 99 percent of a Diet Coke -- a fact Coca-Cola has touted in its advertising, perhaps to take advantage of the eight-glass-a-day hydration craze. But all that water has to come from somewhere, and the company has taken heat in recent years for continuing its bottling operations in areas afflicted by severe water shortages, most notably in drought-stricken India.

Bringing it to you: And of course, you can't forget the energy cost -- and associated greenhouse gas emissions -- of manufacturing, distribution, and refrigeration. In its 2008 Corporate Responsibility Review, Coca-Cola UK determined that the equipment used in retail outlets to refrigerate its drinks accounted for over 70 percent of the company's carbon emissions.

While a daily Diet Coke may seem small as sustainability sins go, curbing consumption could have a collectively large impact when you consider that 59 percent of Americans drink diet soda. Can't beat the fake thing? Reduce packaging waste by only treating yourself to a fountain-dispensed glass of diet pop at a restaurant, or consider a home soda maker like one from Sodastream. How's that for (artificially) sweet success?

 

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Comments

[Richard Murray]

12:00 AM on 04/18/2010

"Shortly after seeing the ophthalmologist and about two
weeks or so into my Crystal Light regimen, I had my first
episode of vision loss. [ last week of January ]
This incident was completely different in degree and kind
than the normal visual problems (increased far-sightedness
and visual lability) I had been experiencing.
Rather abruptly, I lost the visual field of the left hemisphere
of my left eye.
The vision loss lasted for about 20 or 30 minutes and after
approximately 15 minutes, I started to develop a crushing
headache which lasted for hours.
I've never had a history of headaches, so the intensity and
duration of this headache was unusual."

recent aspartame (methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid) symptoms in English
professor: Kristi Siegel: Rich Murray 2010.04.17

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1599

[LibDrummer]

10:15 AM on 03/12/2010

I own a recycling company in Atlanta and I don't see Coke interested in green as anything but a publicity stunt. Coke refuses to use recycled toner cartridges. They also will not provide their empty toner to a recycler. Instead they return them to the manufactures who then ship them to a third world country where they are burned out in fields. It takes 4 qts of oil to make each cartridge. The carbon footprint from supporting these processes is enormous. Coke could save millions of dollars with a product that is often better than the original, but has refused to for years. Companies like Coke, and Home Depot, Wachovia, Georgia power all advertise about recycling and go green, but none of them walk the walk either. Don't believe their hype.

[rf dude]

09:17 AM on 03/12/2010

'
Sweetened carbonated water - who'da thunk...

[benji85]

01:54 PM on 03/11/2010

Interesting article, just another reason I stick to water or home-made fruit juice.

[lromfried]

06:33 AM on 03/11/2010

Terrific article about how diet Coke impacts on health and the environment, most of which, with the exception of the use of aspartame, is all true of Coke Classic (and most soda). And let's not forget that the phosphoric acid in most cola can effect bones and teeth.

I'd also like to mention Coke's human rights record. The company's bottlers have been linked to such abuses, including murders, kidnapping and torture in Colombia, murder and gang rape in Guatemala, child labor in El Salvador, union busting in Turkey and Russia, abuse of workers in China, overuse of water, not only in India, but in Mexico and elsewhere, racial discrimination in the U.S...

As for the awards that Coke gets for their "greenwashing" efforts, most of the awards are given by groups that have a financial connection to Coke, such as the Golden Peacock Award in India.

More than 50 colleges and universities worldwide have removed Coke from campus and some of the largest labor unions have removed Coke from their functions and facilities. More about this can be seen at http://www.killercoke.org.

[naschkatze]

07:08 PM on 03/10/2010

I see a few comments about headaches. The diet colas cause me to have terribly
aching joints. Anyone else?

[Tammy Cromer-Campbell]

04:55 PM on 03/10/2010

Interesting article. Coca Cola just won 2nd place in the Green Dot Awards under entertainment and culture. http://bit.ly/9DHQNC

Tried watching the video- but it was kind of slow... But it sounds like they are trying to be good stewards, with clean fleets and all.

I was last years winner in that category for my book Fruit of the Orchard | Environmental Justice in East Texas.

I'm drinking my Cherry flavored diet Dr. Pepper - from a plastic bottle...

[Shrinath]

02:36 PM on 03/10/2010

Hi Jennifer, Thanks for the post. Very precise and informative.

[Tom Lauria]

02:18 PM on 03/10/2010

Please don't ignore the good news about PET plastic light-weighting in bottled water bottles. Plastic weight has been reduced 32% in eight years, saving 1.3 billion pounds of plastic. The actual recycling rate for bottled water is the nation's highest at 30.9% -- that remains too too low but better than the old figure you cite. Since bottled water has one of the lowest carbon footprint for any packaged beverage, wouldn't a stronger recycling message trump an anti-hydration drumbeat? FYI: if a Huffington Post reader enjoys bottled water from a cooler, not only is the container automatically recycled, but the BTU energy draw from that type of bottled water amounts to only 3/1000 of 1% of all BTU energy in the U.S.A. It's really quite tiny!

[Jennifer Grayson]

03:12 PM on 03/10/2010

Hi Tom,

That 25 percent figure is the amount of recycled PET that Coca-Cola puts in to its plastic beverage bottles. The recycling rate for PET bottles in this country is 31 percent:

http://earth911.com/news/2009/03/11/which-soda-packaging-has-the-biggest-carbon-footprint/

Don't know why I'm posting bottled beverage stats for your benefit... I know you're well-versed in all of them in your work as a lobbyist for the bottled water industry:

http://www.bottledwater.org/news/us-bottled-water-industry-has-very-small-environmental-footprint-according-new-life-cycle-inven

[Tom Lauria]

10:20 AM on 03/11/2010

I actually wrote three replies before one was able to get through. In the first two versions, I clearly identified myself as a voice for IBWA (International Bottled Water Association). On my third try, I just let it fly and I see you called me on it. Can't we meet half-way? The industry's light-weighting of bottles and it's tiny carbon footprint and it's enthusiastic embrace of recycling -- all for convenience of immediate hydration -- should disarm at least some of the animosity coming from some environmentalists. Be in from tap or bottle, it is important people drink more water. Bottled water is a supplement to the essential functions that tap water provides. Let's talk!

[FPhoebe]

01:56 PM on 03/10/2010

Yesterday, my mother took her car to the mechanic because it was having a little trouble starting up. The mechanic said the battery cables were corroded, and that was most likely the problem. I asked her if she had to buy new cables. She said no; they poured Coke on the cables to remove the corrosion. I don't think I'll be drinking much Coke anymore.

[billshut]

01:07 PM on 03/10/2010

Oh, good God ...

[Lexie]

12:43 PM on 03/10/2010

I was getting daily migraine auras. I stopped drinking Diet Coke 6 months ago and my auras decreased dramatically. There is strong scientific evidence out there (beyond my experience) that aspartame causes migraines. My cousin had to quit it as well.

[LeftieLefty]

12:36 PM on 03/10/2010

I must say, my love of Diet Coke troubles me. I resisted quitting for years, not wanting to face the caffeine-withdrawal headaches, but I noticed one day that when I had a regular Coke, full of caffeine, I STILL got the headache. Makes me think it's the Aspartame I am addicted to, after all.
I did quit last summer, but now I'm back to 1 1/2 cans a day. Planning to give it up again at the end of the month. I don't feel any differently whether I drink it or not, but I know that I am in effect an Aspartame Guinea Pig. The only time I have EVER agreed with Pat Robertson was when I heard him scold Donald Rumsfeld for, when he was the head of Searle (between government jobs), pushing Aspartame through the FDA approval system before adequate testing.

That being said, I am drinking one right now :(

[JennaBeanzzz]

12:35 PM on 03/10/2010

Geez and the author left out the most damning part. Diet Coke is infused with..... CO2! Uggghh. Those belches are melting glaciers!

[Jennifer Grayson]

03:14 PM on 03/10/2010

Good point, Jenna! Maybe you want to stir out some of those bubbles first before drinking...

[tantan75]

11:59 AM on 03/10/2010

I used to get headaches all the time. Then I read that aspartame causes headaches. I cut it out of my diet. Headaches stopped almost instantly. Now when I see people putting Equal in their coffee, and then they complain about headaches, I let them know. It almost always works.