Coca-Cola's low-carbon, sustainable formula

Soft drinks giant makes strides in green coolers and bottles as part of its committment to an eco-friendly, profitable future

Beverage industry leader Coca-Cola sells billions of bottles of its soft drinks every year, and making sure the production of the bottles is environmentally friendly is as important to the company as ensuring they are kept at a refreshingly cool temperature.

The latest figures show that the global soft drinks giant owns more than 10 million coolers and vending machines worldwide, with more than 1 million in China. "That was a goal we set in 2010 and we are proud of the number we have achieved, but we know we still have a lot to do," said Bea Perez, chief sustainability officer with the beverage giant.

According to industry experts, traditional refrigeration equipment uses refrigerants that contain hydrofluorocarbon, or HFC, which damages the ozone layer and are more potent and damaging than carbon dioxide in terms of greenhouse gas effects.

However, most coolers, vending machines and fountain equipment in today's marketplace still use HFC refrigerants.

"To change the situation and reduce its impact on climate change, Coca-Cola has invested more than $100 million to advance the use of HFC-free cooling technologies since 2000," said Perez.

The new cooler consumes up to 40 percent less power than traditional coolers, further bringing down its greenhouse gas emissions, according to Perez.

Coca-Cola began purchasing the environmentally friendly HFC-free coolers in China several years ago. Since the beginning of 2016 all the coolers it bought in the country are HFC-free. The company will accelerate the process of replacing its existing coolers, she said.

She continued, "With their improved energy conservation and cooling performances, CO2 coolers bring our bottlers and customers a variety of benefits, such as cost savings, carbon credit, better corporate reputation, and greater consumer satisfaction.

"With CO2 coolers, Coca-Cola is making efforts on environmental technology innovation for a greener China as well as a better world."

Coca-Cola's CO2 coolers are just one example of how the company is trying to address the increasingly important questions of sustainability and corporate responsibility.

PlantBottle

Traditional PET plastic bottles are made from petroleum and other fossil fuels, which are non-renewable, have finite reserves and can have a negative impact on the earth's biosphere and ecosystems, according to Coca-Cola.

To avoid these harmful consequences, the company has introduced PlantBottle packaging, which contains up to 30 percent renewable plant-based materials, such as sugarcane, and is 100 percent recyclable.

"We are excited to be the first to introduce the cutting-edge packaging technology to Chinese consumers so they can experience a low-carbon life while enjoying our products," said Zhang Jiantao, vice-president of Coca-Cola Greater China and South Korea.

"Coca-Cola's ultimate long-term goal is a carbon neutral, 100 percent renewable, responsibly sourced bottle that is fully recyclable - a bottle we will all feel good about," Perez said.

Since the first production of PlantBottle, more than 25 billion of these trend-making bottles have been distributed in about 40 countries, eliminating the equivalent consumption of 525,000 barrels of petroleum, said the company.

Since water is very much a prerequisite for Coca-Cola, "the Coca-Cola system has a special responsibility to protect this shared resource," said Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company.

To address the widespread problem of water scarcity, stewardship and safety issues, Coca-Cola has been implementing water strategies, water resource management and protection projects in China through partnerships with the government, community and businesses.

Since 2004, Coca-Cola has replenished an estimated 153.6 billion liters of water back to communities and nature through 209 community water projects in 61 countries, it said.

"It's our planet, our water resources and our responsibility. Everyone involved in those projects feels the power of change", said Perez.

caixiao@chinadaily.com.cn

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Bea Perez

chief sustainability officer of the Coca-Cola Company

Perez advances a global sustainability strategy designed to help grow the business while making a lasting, positive difference for consumers, communities and the environment, and directs the efforts of the Coca-Cola Foundation - the company's philanthropic arm.

Prior to establishing the office of sustainability, she served as chief marketing officer for Coca-Cola North America.

Perez is also a member of the American Advertising Hall of Achievement and the Sports Business Journal's Hall of Fame. She is a strong advocate for community service, serving on several boards including the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation, USO, International Council on Women's Business Leadership and Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. She also serves on the corporate board for Primerica.

(China Daily 06/28/2016 page15)