Coca-Cola India

General V.P. Malik, Chairman - Environment Advisory Council (EAC) and Bill Schultz, CEO, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd inaugurated a Rainwater harvesting project (RWH) at P. N. Autonomous College in Bhubaneswar (Orissa) in Central India recently. Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd facilitated the construction of RWH structures at the Commerce Block, the Conference Hall and the Computer Science block of the PN Autonomous College. In addition, hospital equipments including blood sugar check-up machines, oxygen cylinders were also donated at Mukundaprasad Primary Health Centre.

Speaking at the event, General V. P. Malik, said, “The availability of freshwater is a global challenge but it is more so in India where 17% of the world’s population shares only 4% of the world’s freshwater resource. I am pleased with the Company’s initiatives in this regard and urge all stakeholders to come together to preserve this critical and precious resource.”

Bill Schultz, Chief Executive Officer, HCCBPL added, “The Company has always placed high value on good citizenship. At Coca-Cola we are committed to preserve, protect and enhance the environment and positively contribute to the economic and social well being of the community. The Company undertakes a diverse range of activities for the benefit of the community across the country."

Coca-Cola has already undertaken 14 RWH projects in Orissa in partnership with schools, colleges, NGOs and local community and these projects together have a potential to harvest more than 4 crore litres of rainwater. Across the country, Coca-Cola has already installed more than 320 RWH projects across 17 states which have the potential to harvest more than 27 lakh kilolitres of rainwater.

“Water management remains a priority and the Company pursues the 4R program of Reduce, Recycle, Reuse and Recharge to achieve the objective of water management and conservation. Our focus will continue to be on projects which further improve the overall standard of living in communities amongst which we operate” said Bill Schultz, CEO, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd.