Coca-Cola Recycling's efforts grow in national recycling conversation
It takes a very forward-thinking company to create a whole new subsidiary, one whose sole existence is dedicated to mitigating the environmental footprint that is a byproduct of their manufacturing processes. That is, however, exactly what Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) did. In late 2007, CCE – the world’s largest bottler and distributor of Coca-Cola beverages – formed Coca-Cola Recycling to develop cost-efficient solutions for reclaiming used beverage containers and beverage packaging materials. Their goal? To recycle 100 percent of the packaging materials generated by the Coca-Cola system in North America by the year 2020.
John Burgess is the President and CEO of the company and he took some time from his very busy schedule – one that includes trips to oversee the Coca-Cola Recycling Pavilion at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver – to share the success of the honeymoon years of the company. During the interview, Southeast Green received updates on business development, challenges in the current economy and where Coca-Cola Recycling is headed in 2010.
When asked about the scope and scale of the work ahead, Burgess was clearly focused on Coca-Cola Recycling’s motivation. They have a seat at the national level when it comes to contributing in the recycling discussion. “Our participation is very relevant,” stated Burgess. “Our view is this is a national opportunity and it is very important to have a finger on the pulse of what is going on in the recycling industry.”
“The conversation is very different regionally. In each region, we have to consider the local environment that we operate in.” That local environment encompasses what’s happening within a community’s political and cultural level. “It’s not easier in any given place, there are just different challenges,” said Burgess.
It’s nice to know that the Southeast is considered a challenge to tackle instead of being disregarded, as is so often the case. In fact, Coca-Cola Recycling helped launch an incentive-based recycling program in Atlanta in November 2009; the program has had the one of the highest adoptions rates of similar programs in the country. Other Metro Atlanta regions being considered are DeKalb County and Gwinnett County. Charlotte, NC, will also be coming online in 2010.
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I do a lecture about plastics in the environment - the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Chris Jordan's photography at Midway, and the importance about recycling. If you know where I can get more information about Coca-Cola Recycling, I'd love to know! Thank you.
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