North America,
April 28, 2010
New vending machines reduce direct greenhouse gas emissions by 99 percent
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The
next time a member of the House of Representatives reaches for a Coke,
it will be from a greener vending machine. Today, House Majority Leader
Steny Hoyer (D-MD) joined Dan Beard, House Chief Administrative Officer
and leaders from Coca-Cola to unveil 35 new climate friendly Coca-Cola
vending machines for the Capitol buildings including the House, Senate
and Visitor's Center. The new vending machines are
hydro-fluorocarbon-free (HFC-free) and feature a natural refrigerant gas
that substantially reduces direct greenhouse gas emissions by 99
percent.
"I am proud of the work by the House Green the Capitol Program to
reduce our environmental footprint here on the Hill," said House
Majority Leader Hoyer. "I am encouraged that Coca-Cola
stepped up to provide these new vending machines, demonstrating how
public and private sectors can work together to bring innovative
solutions to the marketplace."
The House of Representatives is the first location in the U.S. to feature Coca-Cola's
new HFC-free vending machines. The new HFC-free cooling technology has
approximately 1,430 times less global warming impact than the typical
HFC refrigerant gas used in the U.S. and will reduce indirect greenhouse
gas emissions by more than five tons over the lifetime of the machine. Coca-Cola
North America will install more than 400 HFC-free vending machines and
coolers in locations throughout the U.S. in 2010. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola showcased HFC-free vending machines and coolers in Vancouver, Canada to support a green Winter Olympic Games. Coca-Cola and its bottling partners set a global goal to transition to HFC-free vending machines and coolers for new purchases by 2015.
"The conversion to HFC-free vending machines will produce a dramatic
reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions over time," said Chief
Administrative Officer Beard. "This new technology from Coca-Cola supports the spirit of the Green the Capitol program and gives the House staff yet another green option. Through Coca-Cola's environmental efforts as well as our own, we are setting an example of the greener future we hope to achieve as a nation."
Coca-Cola has introduced a series of innovations
throughout the Capitol designed to reduce the Company's environmental
footprint at each step in the manufacturing, distribution and sales
processes. These include: HFC-free coolers and vending machines,
hybrid-electric delivery trucks and trailers, a closed-loop recycling
program for the Capitol buildings and facilities, and a new recycling
program for the National Mall and Memorial Parks.
"We value our relationship with the House of Representatives and the
opportunity to showcase innovative solutions that accomplish our mutual
environmental goals," said Steve Cahillane, president, Coca-Cola
Enterprises North America. "Our efforts at the Capitol, throughout
Washington, D.C., and around the country are examples of how we engage
with our stakeholders to ensure that environmental sustainability is at
the core of our business every day."
Bottles and other plastic materials collected from recycling bins and
centers in the metro-Washington, D.C. area are processed and recycled
for reuse at Coca-Cola's bottle-to-bottle recycling
facility in Spartanburg, S.C., representing a true "closed loop" system.
The Spartanburg facility is the world's largest bottle-to-bottle
recycling plant, capable of recycling 100 million pounds of recycled PET
for reuse back into bottles each year.
In the metro-D.C. area alone, Coca-Cola Enterprises has
deployed 20 hybrid electric delivery trucks and tractor trailers in the
last year. CCE 's hybrid electric trucks produce about 30 percent fewer
emissions than standard trucks, and use technology to drastically reduce
emissions when they're idling or in traffic. The Company has 336 hybrid
electric trucks in its fleet, giving it the largest private fleet of
hybrid electric vehicles in North America. Coca-Cola also
partnered with the National Park Service (NPS), the National Park
Foundation (NPF), and the Trust for the National Mall ( TNM ) last year
to create a recycling program for the National Mall and Memorial Parks. Coca-Cola
Recycling is working with NPS and TNM to conduct a comprehensive
evaluation of the waste stream at the National Mall and develop a
sustainable recycling program. The program will be designed to suit the
needs of special events and include recycling education for visitors to
the parks.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's
largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500
sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola®,
recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio
includes 12 other billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke®, Fanta®,
Sprite®, Coca-Cola Zero®, vitaminwater, Powerade®, Minute
Maid®, Simply® and Georgia® Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider
of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas
and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system,
consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a
rate of 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to
building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives
that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the
economic development of the communities where we operate. For more
information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.
About Coca-Cola Enterprises
Coca-Cola Enterprises is the world's largest marketer,
distributor and producer of bottle and can liquid nonalcoholic
refreshment. CCE sells approximately 80 percent of The Coca-Cola Company's bottle and can volume in North America and is the sole licensed bottler for products of The Coca-Cola
Company in Belgium, continental France, Great Britain, Luxembourg,
Monaco, and the Netherlands. For more information on the company, please
visit www.cokecce.com. For more information about CCE's commitment to
Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, please visit http://crs.cokecce.com.
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