With its new mission to create possibilities for a brighter, more sustainable future for Australians today and for generations, Coca-Cola Australia Foundation is inviting environmental organisations to apply for a new grant focussed on tackling the issue of marine pollution in Australia.

Funding is available to organisations that are working on solutions to tackle the issue of marine pollution in Australian coastal and inland waterways.

Christine Black, Coca-Cola Australia Foundation Board Member and Director of Sustainability at Coca-Cola Australia, said that “Coca-Cola in Australia is committed to keeping plastic from ending up in the ocean or landfill.”

“We recognise no one organisation can solve the issue of marine pollution alone. We’re working with many partners locally and globally to help achieve our vision of creating a world without waste,” Black said.

“We are pleased to announce that the Coca-Cola Australia Foundation’s new mission is focussed on creating a sustainable future for all Australians and we look forward to supporting a new flagship partner,” she said.

As part of its World Without Waste vision, Coca-Cola aims to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle or can the company sells globally by 2030; ensuring they do not end up in waterways or landfill. This is supported by the company’s commitment to sustainable packaging, with 70 per cent of its plastic bottles in Australia to be made entirely from recycled plastic by the end of 2019.

This new grant is part of the Coca-Cola Australia Foundation’s Flagship round of funding and is in addition to the 2019 Employee Connected Grants Program. A total of 31 Australian charities are set to receive a share of $700,000 this year, nominated by Coca-Cola Australia and Coca-Cola Amatil employees. This will bring the Foundation’s total number of funds donated via its charity grant programs since 2002 to over $15 million.

Submissions will be open from 19 to 30 August with the successful organisation receiving up to $600,000 over a three-year period.