.){kind=link}
Coca-Cola Amatil has become the newest member of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSD Australia).
The beverages company says it has “a growing commitment to sustainability” and “a sustainability framework … embedded in the organisation”.
It says it reports regularly on environmental performance and has set sustainability goals to achieve by 2020. These include maximising recycling, acting on climate change, and reducing the use of both sugar and unrecycled plastics.
In April 2019, the company announced that by 2020 it would make seven out of 10 of its plastic bottles from 100 per cent recycled plastic. The move follows the elimination of plastic straws and stirrers from February 2019. The company has also gone into partnership with Keep Australia Beautiful to promote recycling options nationwide.
‘A sustainable world’
CEO of BCSD Australia Andrew Petersen welcomed Coca-Cola Amatil’s membership as a show of commitment to sustainability.
“Our membership continues to grow with corporations and organisations across Australia that are committed to driving a transition to a sustainable world,” he said.
“Coca-Cola Amatil’s membership is recognition of the progress it has made in the sustainability of its operations and its commitment to continual improvement. We look forward to its participation as an active, collaborative member of BCSD Australia.”
‘We’ve heard the message’
Group Managing Director of Coca-Cola Amatil Alison Watkins says BCSD Australia membership will help it meet its sustainability strategies. It will also aid the company’s long-term goals for packaging neutrality, she adds.
“We’ve heard the message loud and clear – that unnecessary packaging is unacceptable,” she said. “And we need to do our part by continuing the switch to recycled materials.
“We also recognise the need to act on climate change. We’ll source 60 per cent of our energy from low-carbon and renewables by next year.
“That’s good news. But there’s more to be done. BCSD Australia membership is a step forward in delivering sustainability goals.”
Coca-Cola Amatil is one of the largest bottlers and distributors of ready-to-drink beverages in the Asia-Pacific region. It employs about 12,000 people and has some of Australia’s most recognisable brands. These include Coca-Cola, Sprite, Barista Bros, Mount Franklin, Neverfail, Grinders Coffee and Yenda.