Greenpeace USA made the announcement in a July 23 press release.The group described the departures as a victory in a year-long effort to stop the plastics industry's campaign, support state laws and prevent cities and counties from passing restrictions on plastics and other types of packaging.
John Hocevar, director of greenpeace USA's oceans campaign, said: "companies understand that they cannot publicly say that they want to end plastic pollution and are funding an association to lobby for our continued reliance on single-use plastics."
In an emailed statement, the atlanta-based company confirmed that it had left the association over policy differences.
"Coca-Cola is no longer a member of the plastics industry association," the company said.We pulled out earlier this year because the organization took a position that was not entirely consistent with our commitments and goals."
Coke declined to elaborate on the policy differences, but both soda companies are under pressure over the waste of plastic bottles.Greenpeace framed coke's withdrawal as part of a larger effort to force consumer companies to leave the plastics association.
PepsiCo confirmed the news to dow Jones newswires.
"We are not involved in the advocacy of the association and its affiliates and our membership ends at the end of this year," a Pepsi spokesman said.
The withdrawal of coke and Pepsi comes as the issue intensifies in state legislatures.