Return
At ECCBC, we acknowledge our duty to address the intricate challenges posed by plastic waste, both to our planet and society. In response, we are part of the strategy launched by The Coca-Cola Company “World Without Waste”.
This strategy is designed to catalyze systemic change by promoting a circular economy approach to packaging. “World Without Waste” serves as a comprehensive sustainable packaging platform, emphasizing measurable goals and interconnected objectives. Each goal is reinforced by a set of additional targets, ensuring a holistic approach to our commitment to sustainability.
Goals
Levers of change
Redesign our packaging to reduce waste generation and recyclability
Implement circular economy practices un plastic bottles
Support the creation of collection and recycling schemes in our territories
Introduce rPET in our key markets
Refillable Glass Bottles
Our strategy prioritizes the adoption of returnable glass bottles (RGB) in the market, representing a significant shift in our approach. We now offer some of our brands in RGB utilizing a deposit system. This transformative step replaces single-use glass bottles with new ones that can be refilled up to 25 times, thereby conserving energy and raw materials. By embracing this initiative, we anticipate a notable reduction in our carbon footprint, as RGBs can emit greenhouse gases (GHG) three times less than single-use glass bottles. Moreover, the universal format simplifies bottle returns for outlets and wholesalers, streamlining operations and enhancing sustainability efforts. This project marks a significant milestone in our journey towards minimizing the carbon footprint associated with our packaging practices.
Let’s be clear Sprite
Following the successful launch of our Let’s be clear! Sprite bottles in Morocco, we have expanded our campaign to Ghana.
With their new transparent appearance, our Sprite bottles are now more recyclable, eliminating the need for separate recycling from other plastic bottles. This initiative underscores our commitment to sustainable packaging solutions and environmental responsibility as we continue to promote recycling efforts across our markets.
Light weighting
One of our primary initiatives involves reducing the use of plastic in our packaging. By implementing lightweighting techniques, we have successfully decreased the PET content in our bottles while upholding stringent quality standards. As a result, last year, we achieved a reduction in PET content, equivalent to 2.25% of the total preforms sourced. This milestone highlights our ongoing commitment to sustainability and responsible resource management in our operations.
Nrecycli
ECCBC Algeria has partnered with Nrecycli, a startup that has developed the Nrecycli.com platform. This platform helps consumers quickly and efficiently locate nearby recycling collection points while receiving rewards for their civic actions. It allows associations with available space to receive recyclables and earn quarterly sponsorship to fund their various associative activities.
The platform connects citizens to collection points managed by associations where they can deposit their recyclables. Partner companies reward citizens with products/services as part of CSR initiatives where the social and environmental impact is tangible and measurable. This partnership with Nrecycli will be integrated into ECCBC’s bottle-to-bottle project, further enhancing its impact on sustainability and community engagement.
Switch-2-CE
ECCBC officially signed a partners’ agreement for the implementation of the first bottle-to-bottle pilot project in Morocco.
Teaming up with RED | Right Execution Daily, Roots for Sustainability (R4S), ThirdWay Partners, and La Générale de Recyclage, ECCBC is embarking on a 3-year initiative that aims to support bottle-to-bottle value chain development through collecting and recycling plastic in Morocco. Through innovative household and points-of-sale collection models, ECCBC aims to gather plastic bottles and ensure they are properly sorted and recycled.
This reaffirms ECCBC’s commitment to preserving the value of our packaging materials by reducing, reusing, and recycling our packaging and ensuring that it does not end up in the environment or our shared waterways.
Guinea Conakry Recycling Project
With the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), we launched a recycling
project in Conakry, Guinea, in 2021. In partnership with the Azahara Foundation, RedSalmons, and Roots for Sustainability, this ongoing project aims to develop a waste collection system in the city of Conakry by empowering waste pickers through the creation of cooperatives and integrating them into the municipality’s waste system.
As of 2023, the project has already collected 23 tonnes of PET plastic waste and has benefited 35 individuals.
Cap challenge
Since 2022, ECCBC’s team in Algeria has spearheaded the Algerian Cap Challenge, an annual plastic collection campaign.
Through this initiative, our employees and their families collaborate to gather bottle caps, which are subsequently sold to a local recycling facility. The proceeds from these sales are then utilized to procure and donate medical supplies to children affected by xeroderma pigmentosum, a genetic disorder that diminishes the body’s ability to repair DNA damage caused by UV light exposure.
This condition necessitates strict avoidance of sunlight exposure, requiring affected individuals to remain indoors or don protective clothing and sunscreen while outdoors. This initiative exemplifies ECCBC’s commitment to environmental stewardship, community engagement, and supporting vulnerable populations in need. This has contributed to helping the association collect 150 tons of bottle caps. With the money from recycling the bottle caps, we have been able to provide aid such as medication, Ramadan baskets, and school supplies.
Sustainable sidewalk
The team in Cape Verde recently inaugurated the new Sustainable Sidewalk next to the ECCBC plant. This innovative sidewalk was constructed using sustainable materials sourced from our glass waste, which was donated to the Ekonatura Foundation.
Ekonatura Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability and conservation efforts. Founded with the aim of addressing environmental challenges and promoting eco-friendly practices, Ekonatura works on various projects related to waste management, recycling, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.
Sprite Clear Bins Ghana
We are pleased to report that The Coca-Cola System in Ghana has enhanced the University of Ghana’s recycling efforts with a donation of Sprite Clear Bins. This initiative supports our transition to clear PET plastic bottles and is part of our ‘World Without Waste’ vision.
Located throughout the campus, these bins will facilitate easier recycling for students and staff, aiming to reduce campus waste significantly. Our goal is to collect 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste over the next two years, fostering recycling awareness and supporting the local plastics market and economic empowerment.
Beach cleaning
As every year, ECCBC’s commitment to environmental stewardship was demonstrated through multiple beach cleaning initiatives across several countries. Volunteers from our team took the lead in organizing these events, which aimed not only to clean up beaches but also to raise awareness about the importance of environmental conservation. These events drew participation from volunteers in each location counting Algeria, Morocco, Ghana, and Cape Verde. By engaging volunteers and communities in these beach cleaning efforts, ECCBC showcased its dedication to protecting the environment and fostering sustainable practices worldwide. Through these initiatives, ECCBC continues to make a positive impact on coastal areas and promote environmental awareness in the regions where it operates.
Gripe 2023
In 2017, Equatorial Coca-Cola, along with seven other private companies, co-founded GRIPE, a private-sector led coalition aimed at addressing the threat posed by plastic waste to Ghana’s environment. GRIPE spearheads multi-stakeholder collaboration by uniting industry, government, NGOs, and informal waste pickers to develop local solutions to this global challenge.
In 2023, GRIPE made substantial strides in waste collection efforts within the country.
Through community clean-up campaigns, GRIPE successfully collected 4739 tonnes of plastic waste, contributing significantly to environmental preservation and waste management initiatives.
AIRE
ECCBC engaged in the endeavors of the Alliance for Packaging Innovation and Recycling (AIRE). This coalition is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in managing end-of-life packaging. The core focus of recycling plastic packaging revolves around eco-design principles aimed at minimizing waste generation and enhancing product recyclability. Additionally, AIRE prioritizes the enhancement of selective collection systems and public awareness. To steer its efforts effectively, the Alliance has devised a comprehensive roadmap to steer its initiatives.
World Circular Economy forum
From May 30th to June 2nd, Group ECCBC and ECCBC Morocco attended the World Circular Economy Forum! in Helsinki ECCBC was present in the SWITCH:COLAB Consultative Forum and in the African Voices Accelerator Session.
