The Minister of the Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition, Gustavo Manrique, as well as other allies and beneficiaries of initiatives implemented in the country, participated in the ceremony for signing this agreement in which Coca-Cola Ecuador and Tonicorp--a company led by Arca Continental and The Coca-Cola Company--are also involved.
The goal of the agreement is to create shared value with employees, suppliers, customers, consumers, recyclers, the value chain, communities, and all other parties who directly or indirectly interact with the companies.
In addition, the document describes the December 2022 goals to strengthen sustainable production and consumption, in terms of a circular economy, hydrological sustainability, and climate change.
1. Circular economy in packaging
- Reach a mix of returnable packaging in 30% of the portfolio and promote a consumer-centric education campaign regarding returnable packaging.
- Increase participation of the traditional channel in recycling and waste management frameworks.
- Increase by 20% the number of beneficiaries of the inclusive recycling program known as DAR.
- Collect 60% of PET packaging and include 25% of recycled resin in PET packaging.
2. Hydrological sustainability
- Replenish 100% of the water used in beverages to nature.
- Achieve greater efficiencies in water usage, with savings of 11% in the water used per liter of beverage compared to the 2018 baseline; for Tonicorp, generate an efficiency rate in its dairy operation equivalent to savings of 48% compared to 2018.
- Develop and execute an access-to-clean-water project.
3. Climate change
- Include 3 Carbon Neutral cattle ranches.
- Reduce the carbon footprint to reach an Energy Usage Rate of 0.316 MJ/Lb in their beverages operation.
The Minister of the Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition in Ecuador, Gustavo Manrique, stated that "We have the responsibility of guiding Ecuador´s development in a sustainable way and with low carbon emissions, with social and economic benefits, by creating new business lines that allow new investments, green jobs and a reduction in poverty, and that boosts ecological transition in all levels, since is our duty to leave a legacy to future generations, that’s why we hope that many other companies can join this “Gobierno del Encuentro” in the search of a green productive country”.
Also, Mariana Rosalba, Coca-Cola Ecuador General Manager, stated that this is the second volunteer agreement in sustainable production that The Coca-Cola Company signed in Latin America. “With these actions we show our determination to continue with the pursue of local and volunteer goals under our sustainability shared vision with our bottling partners, such as Arca Continental. All of this under our company’s purpose: refresh the world and make a diference”.
This voluntary agreement is part of multiple initiatives that Arca Continental has promoted with authorities, social organisms, and other companies in every territory where it operates, including the National Agreement for the New Plastic Economy that was signed with the Mexican Senate; the Clean Production Agreement with the government of Peru; the Every Bottle Back partnership with the main players in the beverage industry in the US; and agreements for installing strategic waste collection stations in Iguazú, Argentina.
With actions such as these, Arca Continental reasserts its commitment to generating shared value in the environmental, social, and economic arena with the communities where it is present.
