Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), the bottling partner of Coca-Cola in the region, has unveiled a sustainability strategy aimed at increasing the use of recycled content in its packaging and enhancing water stewardship, Kenyan newspaper the Star reported.
This initiative is part of a broader commitment by the company to address environmental challenges and bring about positive global change.
The announcement coincides with Coca-Cola’s intention to invest up to $175m in Kenya over the next five years, contingent on the company meeting its growth targets.
CCBA’s sustainability drive is aligned with Coca-Cola’s global World Without Waste initiative, which focuses on reducing waste and carbon emissions through increased recycling and the use of refillable bottles.
Since 2004, Coca-Cola has been part of a collaborative effort to establish the PET Recycling Company in Africa, which promotes the recycling of polyethylene terephthalate plastic.
The company says it also works with nongovernmental organisations, communities, suppliers, business partners, customers, and consumers to advance its recycling efforts.
Recently, it inaugurated a new wastewater treatment facility at the Equator Bottlers site in Kisumu, Kenya.
The plant recycles wastewater from production for non-potable applications, thus diminishing the factory’s environmental footprint.
The newspaper quoted CCBA’s chief public affairs, communication, and sustainability officer Tshidi Ramogase as saying: "We collaborate with partners to develop innovative packaging solutions.
“The Coca-Cola Company’s 2030 Water Security Strategy is dedicated to enhancing water security, recognising water as a critical ingredient in all our beverages and essential for the communities we serve."
CCBA, which is reportedly the eighth-largest Coca-Cola bottling partner globally, with revenue accounting for more than 40% of all Coca-Cola product sales in Africa by volume.
It employs more than 18,000 people across 15 countries on the continent.
Last month, non-profit ocean conservation organisation Oceana urged Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, another Coca-Cola products bottler, to commit to a substantial increase in reusable packaging.
