Coca-Cola HBC Polska and the Baltic States: “We have invested over EUR 1.5 million in water projects in three years”

Responsible management of water resources is part of the mission of sustainable development of Coca-Cola HBC Polska and the Baltic States, which the company consistently implements

“In Coca-Cola HBC, sustainable development is a key pillar of long-term success, which is why minimizing our impact on the environment is inscribed in a business strategy” – says Ksenija Todić, director of the supply chain at Coca-Cola HBC Polska and the Baltic States. “Water is a particularly important raw material for us, and responsible management is of fundamental importance for the continuity and efficiency of our supply chain.”

Consistent pursuit of the goal

Regarding the sustainable development of Coca-Cola HBC Polska and the Baltic States, it sets ambitious goals and consistently achieves them. Only in the last three years the company has invested over EUR 1.5 million in water projects in its production plants including constant monitoring of water consumption and implementation of innovative technological solutions to limit them. As a result of the actions taken since 2015, the company reduced the water consumption per liter of a produced drink by 10 percent.

“In recent years, we have significantly reduced water consumption, despite the development of the portfolio and production infrastructure. Our goal is the next progress – reduction of water consumption by nearly 100 million liters in the annual perspective, both in the current year and in 2026” – he calculates Ksenija Todić.

Actions for a closed circuit and minimizing the water trace

Coca-Cola HBC Polska and the Baltic States invest in initiatives to reduce water consumption. An innovative project to close the water circulation was implemented at the plant in Radzymin. Instead of urban water, purified sewage from the plant treatment plant is used for the operation of refrigeration towers. Thanks to this, the company reduces urban water consumption by 54 percent, saving 30 million liters of water a year. Thanks to the closed circuits in this plant in the treatment process, the company regains over 150 million liters per year.

In the Lesser Poland plant in Staniątki, changes were carried out in the process of rinsing cans, which is now carried out with the consumption of ionized air. Water from the rinsing stage of glass bottles is collected and used again in other technological processes.

As a result of a number of activities, 100 percent Sewage from the company’s production plants is cleaned and securely returned in nature in accordance with the highest standards. Each of the production plants in Poland and the Baltic States has a certified ISO 46001 water efficiency management system, confirming responsible management of water resources.

Employees, under the program Near Loss – every drop mattersthey can submit their proposals for improvements and process optimization to reduce water consumption. The plants also undertakes actions in the local community, including joint stocking of the Muszynka river and governments. In turn, employees of the Lithuanian plant in Varena share their knowledge about water with the local community. Every year, local residents are invited to educational sessions, during which, among others Information on water circulation in nature and organized special water sensory panels. Another example is establishing cooperation with WWF, which resulted in the involvement in the restoration of the proper course of the auce river in Latvia.

---

The partner of the material is the producer of Coca-Cola drinks