NAIROBI, Kenya, June 9 – Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) has announced a comprehensive plan to enhance sustainability by increasing the use of recycled content in packaging and improving water management practices.
This is part of the company’s broader effort to build resilience and address both current and future environmental challenges, while fostering positive change for the planet.
“To promote a circular economy, we aim to reduce waste and carbon emissions by incorporating more recycled content into our packaging, expanding our use of refillable bottles, and actively participating in Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste initiative to collect and recycle packaging. We collaborate with partners to develop innovative packaging solutions,” said Tshidi Ramogase, CCBA’s Chief Public Affairs, Communication, and Sustainability Officer, on World Environment Day.
In a recent move to enhance sustainable water use, Coca-Cola opened a new wastewater treatment plant at the Equator Bottlers facility in Kisumu, Kenya.
This plant will treat and recycle wastewater generated from the production process for non-potable uses such as irrigation and cleaning, thereby reducing the factory’s environmental impact.
“The Coca-Cola Company’s 2030 Water Security Strategy is dedicated to enhancing water security, recognizing water as a critical ingredient in all our beverages and essential for the communities we serve,” Ramogase added.
“We partner with various stakeholders to ensure a consistent supply of clean water for both people and ecosystems in the regions where we operate, thereby contributing to sustainable water access and improved livelihoods while safeguarding against water-related disasters.”
Last year, Coca-Cola Beverages Botswana signed an agreement with the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources to donate water from its new water treatment plant for agricultural irrigation at the university campus.
This state-of-the-art plant ensures that the company returns clean water to the environment, achieving full effluent compliance.
In a collaborative effort dating back to 2004, Coca-Cola joined forces with similar industries to establish the PET Recycling Company (PETCO) in South Africa, aimed at promoting and regulating the recycling of PET plastic.
The success of the PETCO model has led to its expansion into Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia, with plans to include additional countries such as Namibia.
“While we are committed to making independent progress, we believe in the power of partnerships to drive collective impact in areas like water stewardship, packaging circularity, and climate action,” said Ramogase. “We engage with stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, communities, suppliers, business partners, customers, and consumers, across all our markets. Feedback from these stakeholders helps us learn, improve, and shape our business and sustainability strategies.”
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa continues to lead in sustainability initiatives, setting a benchmark for the beverage industry in environmental stewardship and community engagement.
