We've estimated that the greatest reductions to our carbon footprint will come from the reduction of our energy consumption. The solution we came up with are the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants constructed at Ploiesti and under construction at our Timisoara plant. Four CHP plants are currently in operation with 12 others at various stages of development or construction across our Group’s business. 

These on-site CHP units will supply the heating, cooling and electricity needs of bottling plants, with great benefits, as they are cleaner and more efficient than conventional power plants. When completed, the program will reduce the CO2 emissions from all our manufacturing plants by 20%, and by more than 40% in Ploiesti and Timisoara.

With the help of energy-saving programs, we're making progress towards reducing the CO2 emissions resulted from producing each liter of beverage.

• Halogen bulbs replacement with LED – The better lighting improves working conditions and energy is saved.
• Optimising sterilisation of sugar syrup by method differentiation - pasteurization and UV treatment 
• Reducing compressed air consumption by installing air blowers

In 2015, we managed to reduce our energy use ratio for producing our finished goods to 0.45 MJ/L which is 9.2% less than the value for 2014. For the successful implementation of the new energy efficient technologies, processes and energy saving programs, we invested approximately € 245,000.

We're evaluating and expanding the use of alternative fuels and hybrid vehicles in our fleet. Additionally, all employees are trained in fuel-efficient driving (“Eco Driving”). In 2015, 3% of our new fleet consisted of low carbon emission cars.

Changing driver behavior can also make a major contribution to reducing CO2 emissions. Through our Safe and Eco-Driving program, we're teaching drivers of our trucks and company cars techniques such as driving at optimum speed and early gear changes. Initial results are encouraging, showing the potential for significant CO2 emissions reduction across our business.

Our consumers expect to find chilled beverages available in restaurants and shops when they are thirsty. To satisfy this request, we place coolers and other cold drink equipment (CDE) on customer premises. 

By developing new cooler models as well as energy management devices, we now purchase coolers up to 50 percent more energy-efficient compared to 2004. 

Minimising the amount of packaging we use is one of the most significant ways in which we can reduce its environmental impact. This also helps to reduce the carbon footprint of packaging throughout its lifecycle: from manufacture to transportation to disposal or recycling.

Since 2014, we have introduced a new bottle, the PlantBottle, the first ever recyclable PET plastic beverage bottle made partially from plants. It reduces the packaging weight of PET bottles resulting in an efficient and safe product which performs as PET, doesn't conflict with food chain or the land used and can be recycled using the existing recycling stream of PET infrastructure.

Moreover, the Ultra-Glass bottle, which uses a third less glass, is now used in Romania and 16 other countries in which Coca‑Cola HBC Group operates.

Our beverage containers consist mostly of recyclable materials: PET plastic, aluminum, steel and glass. Our aluminum cans and glass bottles already contain up to 60% recycled content. 

Dupa Noi, strangem tot noi - The educational program that encourages selective collection

The educational program launched in 2018 within the After Us Sustainability Platform is part of Coca Cola HBC Romania's strategy of being responsible for the environment and the communities where it operates.

To encourage consumers to contribute to a common effort to collect selectively and recycle waste, we are present at two of the most popular music festivals in Romania: Neversea (July 5th – 8th) and Untold (August 2nd – 5th), where we offered solutions for separate waste collection:

• The Ecoisland – an integrated solution for all recyclable types of waste (glass, plastic / PET, paper, aluminum, biodegradable waste)
• Plastic collection points – the most common type of recyclable waste used at festivals
• The PhotoCollector - a photo booth that collects glass, plastic and paper and rewards users with a photo on the spot