Coca-Cola Philippines Accelerates Efforts to Achieve Circular Economy on Plastic Packaging, Water Security

MANILA, Philippines, 22 December 2023 —- Coca-Cola Philippines concludes 2023 with significant progress in its commitment to environmental sustainability and enters 2024 with an increased resolve to accelerate its efforts. This year, the company continued to strengthen its initiatives to meet its World Without Waste targets and launched “May Ikabobote Pa”, a brand-led initiative aiming to inspire behavior change among consumers regarding recycling. This includes expanding partnerships with organizations sharing a commitment to advancing a circular economy for plastic packaging.

The Coca-Cola Company also unveiled its 2030 Water Security Strategy, which aims to achieve 100% circular water use across 175 facilities globally. Additionally, the company plans to partner with like-minded organizations to enhance the health of 60 critical watersheds and return a cumulative total of 2 trillion liters of water to nature and communities between 2021 and 2030.

“We are grateful for all our projects this year, which demonstrate our dedication to conducting our business more sustainably and empowering the communities where we operate and serve,” said Tony del Rosario, President of Coca-Cola Philippines. “We recognize our responsibility to continue making a positive impact in communities and the environment and acknowledge that we still have a long way to go and that we cannot do this alone. We encourage everyone to join us in these efforts.”


Advancing a circular economy on plastic packaging

Coca-Cola Philippines took another significant step toward a circular economy for plastic packaging by introducing more bottles made from 100% recycled PET plastic (rPET), excluding caps and labels. In September this year, the company introduced rPET packaging for Coca-Cola Original in 190ml and 390ml and Wilkins Pure in 500ml, in addition to Sprite 500ml, which was introduced in 2019.

The announcement came on top of the launch of “May Ikabobote Pa,” the company’s new consumer engagement initiative aiming to inform and engage consumers about the actions they can take to recycle their empty plastic bottles. 

"May Ikabobote Pa" is brought to life by new rPET labels featuring a call to action, ‘Recycle Me Again,’ and a QR code that directs users to the Coca-Cola Sustainability Hub. This hub provides information about the company's recycling program, including a map displaying the locations of over 2,800 recycling drop-off points across the country, in collaboration with more than 60 partners. The hub also provides relevant updates on the company's waste management initiatives. Moreover, "May Ikabobote Pa" offers enhanced consumer recycling experiences, digital-led communications, and partnerships within selected 7-Eleven and Shel outlets.

Leveraging partnerships for effective waste collection and capacity building

Since the launch of The Coca-Cola Company’s World Without Waste global strategy in 2018, Coca-Cola Philippines has formed strategic alliances with the government, non-governmental organizations, and civil society to help establish a circular economy for plastic packaging in the country.

One of the company’s goals is to make recycling easier and more accessible for consumers by expanding its over 2,800 recycling drop-off points across the country through increased partnerships with like-minded organizations and institutions. This includes enabling the participation of micro-entrepreneurs, particularly carinderias and sari-sari stores, through the Tapon to Ipon and Tindahan Extra Mile Balik PET Bottle programs. Both programs help create a community-backed circular economy for plastic packaging while promoting economic empowerment among micro-retailers.

TEM collection bins are placed in front of sari-sari stores and carinderias. Here, consumers can drop their empty bottles and cans for recycling

For 2024, the company aims to expand the number of its partner carinderias and sari-sari stores to 2,400 in Metro Manila and nearby areas. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola Philippines' bottling arm, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines (CCBPI), has inaugurated over 700 Tapon to Ipon store hubs in 170 cities and municipalities across the country. CCBPI has also partnered with the provincial governments of Iloilo, Davao del Sur, and Camiguin for the large-scale collection of recyclable plastic bottles.

Joel Papagayo is one of the collection partners of Coca-Cola Philippines and Plastic Bank under the Ecosystem Impact Program.

Coca-Cola Philippines also helps improve the welfare of informal waste sector workers by supporting the work of social entrepreneur Plastic Bank. Since 2021, the partnership has so far activated 38 waste collection locations and 651 collection community members in the South Luzon area which has resulted in the collection of 546,000 kilograms of post-consumer bottles for recycling.


Helping preserve and improve water resources

In the Philippines and around the world, people are experiencing the impact of a warming planet through changes in water—from floods to droughts to rising temperatures in oceans. These changes adversely affect farming communities, create challenges in food production, and make it difficult for hundreds of communities to access safe and clean water for drinking and sanitation.

With a presence in more than 200 countries and territories, The Coca-Cola Company recognizes its responsibility to protect local water resources and help people who live in places that face water scarcity. Coca-Cola gives priority to communities near its facilities, urban hubs where its products are sold, and rural farming areas where it sources and grows its ingredients.

In the Philippines, Coca-Cola champions water security through efficient water use in manufacturing, improving watershed health, and helping communities access safe and clean water.

Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. implements water-saving initiatives to improve national water use efficiency.

Bottling partner CCBPI has improved its national water use efficiency across 18 manufacturing plants throughout the country through stringent water-saving initiatives. From 2015 to 2022, CCBPI saved approximately 11 million cubic meters of water, equivalent to about 4,400 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines prioritizes nature-based solutions as a way to conserve watersheds using natural processes such as reforestation, wetland restoration, and the promotion of sustainable agriculture.

Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines helps hundreds of communities have access to safe and clean water for drinking and sanitation.

Through the Foundation, Coca-Cola Philippines collaborates with more than 25 partners nationwide to return the same amount of water used in producing finished products to nature and communities. This collaboration aims to enhance access to water for drinking and sanitation in the most impacted communities.


"The Coca-Cola Company has been in the Philippines for the past 111 years. We stay true to our company’s purpose of refreshing the world while making a difference through loved brands, done sustainably, for a better-shared future," said del Rosario. "As we look ahead, we are dedicated to serving Filipino consumers their favorite beverage brands and building a thriving and sustainable business that will endure for many more years."

Know more about Coca-Cola Philippines and its programs at coca-cola.com/ph/en or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.

Coca-Cola Philippines Affirms Commitment to Helping Preserve and Improve Water Resources

MANILA, Philippines, 23 November 2023 — Coca-Cola Philippines brought together a diverse group of stakeholders on November 16, 2023, to discuss locally relevant water issues and explore collaborative solutions for addressing these water-related challenges.

Among the speakers were Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Sen. Grace Poe, US Embassy in the Philippines Deputy Chief of Mission Y. Robert Ewing, Coca-Cola Philippines President Tony del Rosario, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) Director for Corporate & Regulatory Affairs, Atty. Juan Lorenzo Tañada, and Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. (CCFPI) President Cecile Alcantara.
From left to right: CCBPI Director for Corporate & Regulatory Affairs, Atty. Juan Lorenzo Tañada; US Embassy in the Philippines Deputy Chief of Mission Y. Robert Ewing; Sen. Grace Poe; Coca-Cola Philippines President Tony del Rosario; CCFPI President Cecile Alcantara; and Coca-Cola ASEAN & South Pacific Climate and Water Lead Lynn Hong
during the 2030 Water Security Strategy Forum

Water is the primary ingredient used in Coca-Cola beverages and is an essential resource for the well-being of communities around the world. With a presence in more than 200 countries and territories, The Coca-Cola Company believes it has a responsibility to protect local water resources and help people who live in places that face water scarcity.

“In the Philippines, we invest in initiatives to reduce water in making beverages and to treat and reuse water where possible. The goal is to return to nature and communities the amount of water used to produce our finished beverages. Efforts to preserve nature and biodiversity and promote advanced water management practices are among our company’s priorities,” said Coca-Cola Philippines President Tony del Rosario. “We have an array of partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and communities to generate an even bigger impact and we encourage others to join us in these efforts.”

Coca-Cola Philippines President Tony del Rosario reaffirms the company’s commitment to water sustainability

To accelerate its actions on water, The Coca-Cola Company launched this year its holistic 2030 Water Security Strategy, which focuses on the following:

● Achieve 100% circular water use across 175 facilities globally identified as leadership locations.
● Form partnerships to improve the health of 60 critical watersheds worldwide.
● Return a cumulative total of 2 trillion liters of water to nature and communities globally between 2021 to 2030.

“Coca-Cola has significantly contributed to water stewardship and in the pillars of water access, sanitation and health, watershed conservation, and water for productive use. They have demonstrated that the private sector can be pivotal in addressing water-related challenges,” said DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.

US Embassy in the Philippines Deputy Chief of Mission Y. Robert Ewing also commended Coca-Cola Philippines for its efforts. “Coca-Cola has been a long-standing partner of the U.S. government. I am proud of our strong partnership and shared commitment to providing water access, sanitation, and health services to underserved communities while conserving valuable water resources for future generations. Building a water-secure Philippines is a shared goal that we can achieve by working together.”

Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe, Chairperson of the Senate Public Services Committee, renewed her call for the creation of the Department of Water. "Water is indispensable for leading a life of human dignity. Let us work together to lift the floodgates of bureaucracy, attain sustainable consumption and production, and ensure that clean water flows to every household like a mighty stream.”

Efficient water use in manufacturing

CCBPI has improved its national water use efficiency across 18 manufacturing plants throughout the country through stringent water-saving initiatives. From 2015 to 2022, CCBPI saved approximately 11 million cubic meters of water, equivalent to about 4,400 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. Director for Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Atty. Juan Lorenzo Tañada, reports the company’s water-saving initiatives

“Our passion for water sustainability is evident in the way we operate. From conducting Source Water Vulnerability Assessments to understanding and monitoring our water sources, making sure that we improve on our water use in our plants, to ensuring that we have the right people and the right technological investments in our facilities,” shared Atty. Juan Lorenzo Taňada, Director for Corporate & Regulatory Affairs of CCBPI.

Improving watershed health

CCFPI prioritizes nature-based solutions as a way to conserve watersheds using natural processes such as reforestation, wetland restoration, and sustainable agriculture. Together with WWF Philippines, the Foundation has worked to improve the health of Ipo Watershed, one of the main sources of water of Metro Manila.

Their 5-year partnership has replenished approximately 400 million liters of water per year due to decreased runoff, helped reduce 2,500 metric tons of CO2 per year from reforestation, and improved sustainable food supply for the people living in the community.

Helping communities access safe and clean water

Coca-Cola Philippines aims to return to nature and communities the amount of water used to produce its finished products and help increase access to drinking water, sanitation, and washing facilities for the most impacted communities.

Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Inc. President Cecile Alcantara shares how the Foundation helps
communities have access to clean water for drinking and sanitation and build resilience against climate change

Through the Foundation, the company collaborates with more than 25 partners nationwide to make these goals happen. For instance, CCFPI’s partnership with the Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation for over a decade has led to the installation of more than a hundred ram pump projects across the country, providing water for domestic use and helping reduce the prevalence of waterborne diseases.

"The results of our water stewardship program testify to the power of collaboration on our shared advocacy on water security. We are committed to continue working with partners to reach more Filipino communities in the future,” said Cecile Alcantara, President of CCFPI.

For more information on the sustainability initiatives of Coca-Cola Philippines, follow the company’s social media channels: @CocaColaPhilippines on Facebook and @cocacolaph on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram—or visit www.coca-cola.com.ph.

COCA-COLA PHILIPPINES LAUNCHES NEW 100% rPET BOTTLES

MANILA, Philippines, 8 September 2023 – Coca-Cola Philippines is taking another meaningful step toward a circular economy for plastic packaging by introducing more bottles made from 100% recycled PET plastic (rPET), excluding caps and labels. The rPET packaging is now available for Coca-Cola Original in 190ml and 390ml and Wilkins Pure in 500ml, in addition to Sprite 500ml, which was introduced in 2019. 

Four brands of Coca-Cola Philippines are now in packaging made from 100% recycled plastic: Coca-Cola 190ml, Coca-Cola 390ml, Wilkins 500ml, and Sprite 500ml that was introduced to the market in 2019

Coca-Cola has launched at least one brand in bottles made from 100% rPET in more than 40 countries around the world such as Indonesia, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Coca-Cola’s rPET bottles maintain high-quality standards that consumers expect from the company and comply with local regulations as well as The Coca-Cola Company’s strict global standards for food-grade rPET packaging. 

Coca-Cola Philippines has also established over 2,800 recycling drop-off points across the country, making it more convenient for consumers to return their empty bottles. The initiative encourages consumers to join recycling efforts, helps small store owners grow their businesses, and helps prevent plastic waste from ending up where it is not supposed to be.
  
Additionally, the company's collaboration with Plastic Bank Philippines has led to the activation of 38 recyclable waste collection branches in Cavite and Laguna. Since 2021, the partnership resulted in the collection of 546,000 kilograms of post-consumer bottles for recycling while also enhancing the livelihood of informal waste sector workers. 

“Coca-Cola recognizes that the plastic waste problem in the Philippines is both urgent and complex. Therefore, it will take a collaborative effort to solve this issue. In line with our commitment to helping build a circular economy in the country, we are working to offer innovative packaging design, expand collection and recycling programs, and forge strategic alliances with stakeholders—including government agencies, industry partners, and local organizations,” Coca-Cola Philippines President Tony del Rosario said. 

“We will also use our brand power to engage consumers in collection and recycling initiatives and build awareness that used plastic bottles can have many lives,” he added. 

Coca-Cola Philippines is working to further increase the amount of recycled content used in its plastic packaging by building a sustainable pipeline of high-quality recycled material. Its bottling partner, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI), established PETValue Philippines through a joint venture with Indorama Ventures, a global leader in green technology and packaging solutions. This pioneering bottle-to-bottle recycling facility started operations in October last year and is expected to recycle 2 billion pieces of collected post-consumer PET plastic bottles per year. 

These initiatives are aligned with The Coca-Cola Company’s ambitious sustainable packaging strategy, where it aims to make 100% of its packaging recyclable globally by 2025, use at least 50% recycled plastic in its packaging by 2030, collect and recycle the equivalent of every can and bottle it sells by 2030, and bring people together to support a healthy, debris-free environment. 

CCBPI proudly shared its growing plastic bottle collection network through the strong support of its partners— “Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo!” has already reached 170 cities and municipalities and is growing. CCBPI has inked partnerships with more local government units, including the Province of Iloilo, Davao del Sur, and Camiguin for large-scale collection.

“At CCBPI, we always say that we are only as strong as the communities we serve. Everything we do builds on our promise to create a more sustainable future for Filipinos,” shared Gareth McGeown, President and CEO of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. “We always strive to set higher standards for the industry, but more importantly for ourselves—because we know we need to do more, and you have our commitment that we will do more. We are thankful for the support of our partners in helping give our bottles many more lives."
 
MAY IKABOBOTE PA: A NEW CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE 

On top of the announcement of the new Coca-Cola Original and Wilkins Pure 100% rPET bottles, the company has launched “May Ikabobote Pa”, its new consumer engagement initiative to inform and engage consumers about the actions they can take to recycle their empty plastic bottles. 

May Ikabobote Pa will be brought to life through the following activities, which are also intended to inspire action from consumers and like-minded organizations: 

● New rPET labels: Coca-Cola and Wilkins Pure bottles made from 100% food-grade rPET, excluding caps and labels, now have a call to action “Recycle Me Again” message on their labels. A QR code that will lead to information about the company’s recycling program is also included on each label. 
● Enhanced consumer recycling experiences: Engaging activities on recycling will be featured at Coca-Cola’s on-ground events. 
● Digital-led communications for consumers: Coca-Cola Philippines will partner with groups and community leaders to co-create educational content for a wider audience and advocate for sustainable practices. 
● Partnership with 7-Eleven and Shell: The company is partnering with 7-Eleven stores and Shell stations to create programs that make recycling more convenient and rewarding for consumers. 

These activities are meant to bring people together and remind consumers about the importance of recycling their empty plastic bottles because #MayIkabobotePa (Bottles Can Have Many Lives). 

Coca-Cola Philippines President Tony del Rosario announces the launch of “May Ikabobote Pa”, the company's newest consumer engagement initiative that aims to make recycling more convenient and engaging in the Philippines. Coca-Cola Philippines has more than 2,800 collection drop-off points across the country where consumers can return their empty bottles for recycling. An on-pack QR code that will lead to the Coca-Cola Sustainability Hub is also included on the labels of the new Coca-Cola bottles made from 100% recycled plastic.

From left to right: Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Incorporated President and CEO Gareth McGeown,

Sustainability Champion Andi Eigenmann, Coca-Cola Philippines President Tony del Rosario, Ms. Universe Philippines 2018 and Environment Advocate Catriona Gray, and DENR Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna leading the launch of “May Ikabobote Pa” consumer engagement initiative

TAPON TO REBORN: COCA-COLA PHILIPPINES EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM 

In line with Coca-Cola’s global commitment to sustainability, Coca-Cola Philippines has launched an employee engagement program, “Tapon to Reborn”, to encourage and enable its employees nationwide to become active participants in helping address the plastic waste problem in the country.  

“Tapon to Reborn” encourages employees to collect, segregate, and bring their empty PET bottles, cans, and beverage cartons to the office for recycling. The bottles are then sent to partner recycling facilities, including the CCBPI-supported PETValue PET bottle recycling plant, where they can become new bottles.  

The initiative aims to collect and sell 500 kilograms of PET bottles and cans. The proceeds of the collection will be used to support reforestation efforts in the Lagadlarin Mangrove Forest and Sierra Madre Forest. 

For more information on the sustainability initiatives of Coca-Cola Philippines, visit the Coca-Cola Sustainability Hub at coca-cola.com/ph/en/brands/coca-cola/sustainability or follow the company’s social media channels: @CocaColaPhilippines on Facebook and @cocacolaph on Twitter and Instagram

Coca-Cola Provides Earthquake-Hit Mindanao with Clean Drinking Water

Following the disastrous earthquakes that struck Mindanao, which left displaced residents without access to potable water, the Coca-Cola System in the Philippines immediately mobilized volunteers and resources to facilitate the donation of Wilkins™ water.

Through its nationwide network of 19 bottling plants, employee volunteers, and NGO partners such as the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Caritas Manila, and other organizations, the Coca-Cola System has thus far provided over 115,000 liters of Wilkins™ water to communities severely hit by the devastating earthquakes.

From day zero, Coca-Cola mobilized its resources to contribute to the relief efforts. Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. President and CEO Gareth McGeown, with CCBPI’s local Davao team, led the delivery of Wilkins™ water to the hardest-hit areas in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur; they were received by Magsaysay Mayor Arthur Davin. Wilkins™ water was likewise distributed to Digos, Davao del Sur; and Tulunan, Kidapawan, Makilala, and Magpet, in Cotabato. More Wilkins™ water— close to 34,560 liters—are on their way from nearby Coca-Cola bottling plants and distribution centers.

The Coca-Cola System is also working with the Tagum City Council of Women Foundation Inc. on the deployment of Coca-Cola’s SETA machine—a mobile water plant that treats water to make it clean and potable—in Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries. In addition to the company’s Coca-Cola brands, our portfolio includes some of the world’s most valuable beverage brands, such as AdeS soy-based beverages, Ayataka green tea, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices and nectars, Fanta, Georgia coffee, Gold Peak teas and coffees, Honest Tea, innocent smoothies and juices, Minute Maid juices, Powerade sports drinks, Simply juices, smartwater, Sprite, vitaminwater and ZICO coconut water. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, bringing economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Coca-Cola Iloilo Gives Back, Fields Volunteers through Brigada Eskwela

For over a decade now, associates from Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) Iloilo have been volunteering in the Brigada Eskwela program of the Department of Education, helping repair and prepare public elementary and high school classrooms and other facilities before the opening of classes. This is to help ensure that these structures are ready for the students upon the start of the school year.

Last May 25, over 30 volunteers from Coca-Cola Iloilo plant and distribution center trooped to the Mayor Gerardo Gorriceta Sr. Memorial School in Cabugao Norte, Pavia, Iloilo to wholeheartedly lend a hand in the cleaning and painting of the main gate, entrance pathway, and school façade; in the painting of chairs for one Grade III Classroom; and to donate cleaning materials and liquid hand soap to support the school’s hand-washing program.

“Iloilo has long played a big part in Coca-Cola’s story in the country,” said Paz Pollentes, Iloilo Plant’s Manufacturing Executive . “As a way of expressing our thanks and giving back, we actively involve ourselves in worthwhile efforts such as Brigada Eskwela. Volunteerism has always been a fundamental part of our culture at Coca-Cola. The motivation comes from purpose or, as we say it, 'why we are inspired to work.’ We want to create a positive impact through advocacies.”

Pollentes adds, “We firmly believe in the value of education, and in giving kids a conducive environment for learning. By taking part in Brigada Eskwela, we hope to have made a lasting difference in the lives of our potential leaders of tomorrow.”

Throughout the Coca-Cola system, thousands of CCBPI associates nationwide actively volunteer their time and resources to positively contribute to programs and projects on education, health, and livelihood, and environment conservation.

As a company, CCBPI ensures that it leaves a lasting positive impact in its host-communities, as it works toward continuously strengthening partnerships with all stakeholders through environmentally- and socially-conscious policies. #

Paintbrushes in hand, CCBPI associates help paint school chairs at the Mayor Gerardo Gorriceta Sr. Memorial School. #

CCBPI associates paint school chairs at the Mayor Gerardo Gorriceta Sr. Memorial School. #

All in a day’s work: CCBPI Brigada Eskwela volunteers pose for posterity, following a productive and fulfilling day of volunteering at the Mayor Gerardo Gorriceta Sr. Memorial School.