Coca-Cola is an iconic brand—a well-recognized taste in a well-recognized bottle. But when The Coca-Cola Co. aims to make a change to the norms of operation, it’s thinking not only about its flagship beverage and all its variations, but a full range of waters, sparkling beverages, hydration and sports drinks, dairy and plant-based beverages, juices, coffees, teas…
“We have to take all of that into account when building a sustainability plan,” said Cloeann Durham, vice president of quality, safety, and environment for Coca-Cola’s North American Operating Unit. She was speaking to the audience at ISBT’s BevTech meeting in Frisco, Texas. Though Coca-Cola’s brands are positioned to grow, sustainability is equally important, she noted. “Seeing volume growth is great. But seeing volume growth without sustainability—it can outrun you really fast.”
The sustainability priorities themselves make up no short list either: helping solve the global packaging waste crisis, reducing carbon footprint through science-based targets while building resilience for climate events now and in the future, increasing water security for operations, protecting communities and nature, reducing added sugar across the portfolio while providing consumers with more choices and smaller packaging options, growing a more sustainable supply chain, advancing women and diversity, and supporting human rights.
