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Coca-Cola to use less water in drink production

Water conservation, PET recycling and environment awareness are the themes that Coca Cola would be looking at

New Delhi: As part of CSR, Coca-Cola India has announced initiatives comprising launch of 18 new projects, of which 10 would be dedicated to water conservation, water access, PET recycling, education and awareness programmes on environment. The company has also announced plans to use less water to produce the beverages.  This was announced at an ‘Environment Awareness Campaign’ organized by industry chamber Assocham on the occasion of World Environment Day.

Dr Kiran Bedi, Director General, Bureau of Police Research and Development and Ministry of Home Affairs who was the guest of honour at the event appreciated the community development programmes that had been planned by the multinational across the country spread over the next 15 days.

The company announced the completion of two RWH projects in Sector 21 and Sector 15 in Gurgaon. These projects have a combined potential to harvest 2.5 million litres of rainwater per year and have been installed in partnership with the Government of Haryana and the NGOs’ - Charities Aid Foundation and Surge.

“Given that groundwater table is on a rapid decline in Gurgaon and these projects are being commissioned before monsoons, it will help conserve rainwater and help arrest decline in groundwater levels”, said Mr. Deepak Jolly, Vice-President, Public Affairs and Communication, Coca-Cola India. He highlighed the focus areas of their environmental initiatives which would be focused on:
* Further reduction in the water used to produce beverages
* Recycling water used in the beverage manufacturing process
* Replenishing water in communities and nature

Other initiatives include:

* Launching film on environment protection and enhancing partnership with NGO – BAIF. The 45-minute film will be disseminated in more than 5,000 schools thereby reaching out to more than 1 lakh children across the country.
* Dedicate RWH project to the community in Manas Vihar, near Mayur Vihar, Delhi. This project has the potential to harvest more than 40 lakh litres of rainwater and has been accomplished in partnership with Central Ground water Board, the NGO, FORCE and Resident Welfare Association, Manas Vihar.
* Restore historic Lehartara pond in the holy city of Varanasi in partnership with the local community, district administration and Satguru Kabir Mandir. The company is providing financial support and relevant technical and project management guidance. When restored the pond will facilitate water requirements of thousands of local residents of Varanasi.
* RWH projects across the country including those in Mumbai  university, Mumbai, Maharashtra; Collector’s office, Bhubaneshwar, Orissa ; 10 schools in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand and others.
* Drinking water project in Wada, Maharashtra and in Gujarat under the Indira Awaas Yojna.
*Launch check dam project and desilting program at Bidadi, Bangalore.
* Organize environmental awareness programmes including ‘green runs’, seminars, workshops, street plays, quiz and painting competitions for children.
* Have cleanliness programmes including ‘clean village’ programs, pollution control check up camps and tree plantation programme.

Publication- Hindustan/ Dainik Jagran / Dainik Bhaskar

Coca-Cola to save 2.5 million litres of water

Gurgaon, 5th June-Coca-Cola in its on-going initiative to save water has come forward with two Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) Projects. These projects will be installed in Sector 21 and Sector 15 in Gurgaon and have a combined potential to harvest 2.5 million liters of rainwater per year in these areas. These projects are carried forward in partnership with the Government of Haryana and the NGOs’ - Charities Aid Foundation and SURGE. In addition to this, within two years, the company plans to start 10 similar operations.

According to Mr. Deepak Jolly, Vice-President, Public Affairs & Communication, Coca-Cola India, the company has announced this project one day before the World Environment Day. PET bottle recycling has also been started. There are various other ventures like; drinking water project for children in 26 schools in Rajasthan located in Kaladera and Sanganer. This will benefit nearly 3000 children. The water provided will be deflorodised with the installation of best-in-class equipments and the entire project cost of this is being borne by the Company. Besides this, there will be environmental awareness programs including ‘green runs’, seminars, workshops, street plays, quiz and painting competitions for children.

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