Coca-Cola’s commitment to sustainability extends to all of the markets
Pankaj Sinha, Coca-Cola’s Managing Director for Sri Lanka & the Maldives, recently spoke about the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainability in a video as part of the Echelon Spirit of Sustainability series. Sinha emphasized that Coca-Cola firmly believes that the planet and its people are of paramount importance, and this belief is integral to the company’s mission to refresh the world and make a difference.
Coca-Cola’s commitment to sustainability extends to all of the markets where it operates, including Sri Lanka. According to Sinha, the company recognizes that it has a responsibility to protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and improve the lives of the communities it serves.
With a presence in over 200 countries, Coca-Cola has launched several sustainability campaigns, including the World Without Waste Initiatives and Water Stewardship programs across Sri Lanka. The company’s focus on sustainability began with its commitment to its mission statement, refreshing the world and making a difference. In the Sri Lankan market, the company aims to support and uplift local communities and recycling efforts through initiatives like the World Without Waste campaign, which prioritizes the equivalent collection and recycling of every PET plastic bottle sold by the company and to have at least 25% of its beverages sold in refillable/returnable packaging by 2030.
One key strategy is to improve the percentage of returnable bottles and increase the number of bottles returned and recycled. “While many bottles do get returned and recycled, some do not, and it is essential that consumers retain the freedom to choose, Sinha explains, adding that Coca-Cola has introduced the ‘Big Buddy Pack,’ a large returnable glass bottle, in Sri Lanka, which is not only environmentally friendly, being returnable, but also affordable to the average consumer.
The company’s glass bottles have a lifespan of nine years and can be repurposed multiple times, further reducing its environmental footprint. The company is also actively educating consumers on the value of responsible disposal to ensure recycling of post-consumer PET plastic bottles, raising awareness in communities of the value of waste and the benefits of recycling.
While Coca-Cola aims to remain consumer-centric and increase sales, strategic corporate sustainability remains an integral facet of its long-term business plan. The company periodically analyses its sustainability goals and ensures they have the necessary funding and plans in place. Sustainability is also a topic of conversation throughout the company, with every employee proud to contribute to the company’s efforts. Initiatives like ‘Adopt A Beach’ which is the first corporate initiative to clean a beach on a daily basis at Crow Island, one of Sri Lanka’s most polluted beaches, and beaches and lagoons in Negombo, involving Coca-Cola’s staff in clean-ups are examples of the company’s sustainability initiatives.
“We recognize the macroeconomic challenges of 2020 onwards, particularly the impact of the pandemic and the economic crisis on consumer affordability and our operations. However, we remain committed to sustainability and despite the challenges, our collection and recycling rates have doubled,” Sinha points out.
“Coca-Cola understands that the future of Sri Lanka, is dependent on a healthy ecosystem and environment,” Sinha says. The company partners with NGOs to educate communities on the value of recycling and is one of the first companies to implement an award-winning solar rooftop project in its facility, generating nearly two megawatts of power and reducing its carbon footprint. The company also focuses on the ‘Well Being of Local Communities’ especially during times of crisis and women’s economic empowerment, pillars that underpins its strategic plan.
Sharing insights about the company’s future, Sinha says Coca-Cola’s strategy for innovation is influenced by the demographics of each market. For instance, while the company’s Sri Lankan plant focuses on solar energy, it is investing in electric vehicles in India, which reduces the use of fossil fuels and the company’s carbon footprint. Coca-Cola also aims to reduce its energy and water usage ratios within its plants. Through its Water Stewardship Initiatives, the company provides a greater amount of water back to the environment and its communities for each litre of water utilized for the production of its beverages.
“At Coca-Cola, our priority has always been and will always be the planet and its people. This is why sustainability is a cornerstone of our business practices,” Sinha avers.