Coca-Cola reaches lowest ever water usage ratio

Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) has recorded its lowest level of water used to make one litre of product, according to its sustainability report released today.


Reaching the landmark figure last year, CCE achieved a water use ratio of 1.4 litres of water per litre of product, down from 1.43 litres per litre of product in 2011.

CCE has set targets of reaching 1.35 litres per litre of product for 2013 and 1.2 litres per litre of product by 2020.

The first company to be awarded the Carbon Trust Standard for Water in 2012, CCE’s main ingredient in its products is water and it is also used for cooling, washing and rinsing at its numerous manufacturing plants.

While the company admits it cannot reduce the volume of water in its products, it can use less in its cleaning and manufacturing processes.

Over the past five years, it has increased its production by about 8% while reducing its water use by approximately 10%.

CCE’s total water consumption in 2012 was 8.82 million cubic meters, which was down from 9.4 million cubic meters in 2011.

According to CCE chairman John Brock, the company’s facilities in Great Britain and France are the most water-efficient Coca-Cola plants in the world.

“These are challenging times but our commitment to Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CRS) has never been stronger because of the benefits it brings, including operational cost savings, excellent customer service and employee engagement,” he said.

In addition, CCE has delivered an absolute reduction in its operational carbon emissions, recording a 15% reduction, which means it is on track to meet its 2020 target seven years ahead of schedule.

“The recognition we have received from a range of external organisations has encouraged us to do more and to go further. For the first time ever, CCE was included on the Carbon Disclosure Project’s Leadership Index and we were listed for the fourth year running as the number one,” added Brock.

Conor McGlone

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