Coca-Cola Amatil, one of the largest bottlers and distributors of ready-to-drink beverages in the Asia-Pacific, has been announced as the newest member of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSD Australia).

With approximately 12,000 employees across the Asia-Pacific region and some of Australia’s most recognisable brands including Coca-Cola, Sprite, Barista Bros, Mount Franklin, Neverfail, Grinders Coffee and Yenda, Coca-Cola Amatil is a leading name in the Australian beverage industry, and one with a growing commitment to sustainability.

With a sustainability framework being embedded in the organisation, Coca-Cola Amatil regularly reports on environmental performance and has set sustainability goals to achieve by 2020. These include maximising recycling, acting on climate change and reducing the use of both sugar and unrecycled plastics across the product range.

In April 2019 the company announced that 7 out of 10 of its plastic bottles would be made from 100 per cent recycled plastic by 2020. This follows the elimination of plastic straws and stirrers from February 2019, and a partnership with Keep Australia Beautiful to promote recycling options nationwide.

Andrew Petersen, CEO of BCSD Australia, welcomed Coca-Cola Amatil’s membership as a demonstration of its commitment to sustainability: “BCSD Australia’s membership continues to grow with corporations and organisations from across Australia that are committed to driving a transition to a sustainable world,” said Petersen.

“Coca-Cola Amatil’s membership of BCSD Australia is recognition of the progress made in the sustainability of its operations and its commitment to continual improvement on this front. We look forward to its participation as a active, collaborative member of BCSD Australia.”

Alison Watkins, Group Managing Director of Coca-Cola Amatil, said BCSD Australia membership would help the Amatil team meet their sustainability strategies and achieve long-term goals for packaging neutrality.

“We’ve heard the message loud and clear, that unnecessary packaging is unacceptable, and we need to do our part by continuing the switch to recycled materials,” Watkins said.

“We also recognise the need to act on climate change and will source 60 per cent of our energy from low-carbon and renewables by next year.

“That’s good news, but there’s more to be done. BCSD Australia membership is a step forward in delivering sustainability goals. We look forward to the opportunity to get involved.”