Coca-Cola Goes Green for the Olympics

Big business is definitely figuring out that green is good for business. Coca-Cola is attempting to achieve it’s “first zero-waste, carbon-neutral sponsorship” at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, according to an article in today’s Advertising Age. This comes on the heels of its December pledge to have 150,000 HFC-free coolers in place by the end of 2010. From the article, here’s the list of Coca-Cola’s eco-friendly efforts for the games:

• All coolers, approximately 1,500 of them, will use eKOfresh technology, nearly eliminating direct greenhouse gas emissions and reducing indirect emissions.
• A fleet of diesel-electric hybrid heavy-duty vehicles will deliver beverages from bottling facilities to the venues. Within the venues, electric carts will be used to deliver beverages.
• The tables and displays at the “Far Coast” café in the athlete’s village are made of wood salvaged from the pine-beetle epidemic in British Columbia.
• Menu boards will be made of recycled materials.
• All staff uniforms — everything but underwear and shoes — will be made of recycled bottles; in their welcome bags, athletes will receive T-shirts made of recycled bottles.
• Recycling bins will be scattered throughout the venues in an effort to divert 100% of recyclable waste from landfills.
• Coke’s PlantBottle will be used for all sparkling beverages and water. Compostable cups and lids will be used for coffee.
• Purchase of carbon offsets for air travel, as well as on-site transportation.
• Within the Olympic Village, athletes will be encouraged to make a pledge to help the environment.
• “Green Teams” have canvassed the Olympic Torch Relay route to clean up and recycle waste. All handouts have been recyclable, including aluminum bottles for sampling.
• Torchbearers were selected based on essays with an environmental theme.  

Via:Advertising Age, Coca-Cola Goes Completely Green at Olympics, In Ambitious Eco-Friendly Push, Sponsor Big Red Vows to Produce Zero Waste During the Vancouver Games; image credit: GreenBiz.com