'Generally Laughable': Critics Say Coca-Cola's Recycling-Themed Cannes Win Is Greenwashing

Climate-minded marketers and activists call for higher standards at the awards festival

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Last week between the rosé-fueled networking sessions and adtech-funded yacht parties at the Cannes Lions Festival, Coca-Cola and Ogilvy bagged a Grand Prix in the print and publishing category for “Recycle Me.”

The winning campaign features striking images of the classic Coca-Cola logo on a bright red background as it appears after a can has been crushed—with the outline of the can itself cut from the picture. Below the image, it says simply, “Recycle Me,” translated for the relevant market.

But

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