Coca-Cola drums up water stewardship awareness for Earth Day

The Coca-Cola Company’s commitment to the environment is no drop in the bucket. In celebration of Earth Month, Coca-Cola is partnering with River Network to donate more than 1,000 syrup drums for reuse as rain barrels in communities all across the country.

Rain barrels capture rainwater and and help reduce stormwater pollution. Sediment that travels into rivers and streams as a result of stormwater runoff can directly impact water quality. By capturing water when it rains, these rain barrels eliminate some of that runoff, reducing its impact. Water can then be saved until needed during dry periods to water plants, wash cars and for other non-drinking water needs. Not only does this reduce water usage, it also saves money.

“The fact that Coca-Cola is donating so many rain barrels on such a broad cross-country scale makes this program truly unparalleled in scope or impact,” said Matt Burke, Director of Corporate and Community Engagement, River Network. “We’re thrilled to partner with Coca-Cola to make a meaningful impact for healthy water resources around the country.”

To date, more than 80 organizations in the U.S. have benefitted from Coca‑Cola’s rain barrel donation program. These rain barrels have replenished an estimated 100 million gallons of water since 2008.

With these 1,000 new donations, Coca-Cola will have provided more than 22,000 syrup drums to be used as rain barrels all across the country since 2008. The new rain barrels will help replenish an estimated 60 million gallons of water each year. That is enough to fill 100 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

“Rain barrels are a tangible and effective way to inspire change to preserve our water resources,” said Jon Radtke, Water Resources Director for Coca‑Cola Refreshments. “Working with our local partners, we can encourage communities to save water drop by drop, barrel by barrel, and replenish a significant amount of water back into nature.”

The Company’s syrup drum donations for Earth Day kicked off earlier this month with local events throughout the U.S., including an art rain barrel auction to benefit charity and rain barrel-making workshops with local organizations. Coca-Cola associates are getting into the act as well by volunteering in local community Earth Month activities and community cleanup projects.

Coca-Cola supports water replenishment projects throughout the world in an effort to meet its goal to return to nature an amount of water equivalent to what the Company uses in all of its products and their production by 2020. The Company is reducing the amount of water it uses, recycling the water used in its operations and replenishing water to communities and nature.

Water stewardship is one of seven focus areas that make up Coca‑Cola’s Live Positively® platform, the Company’s commitment to making a positive difference in the world by growing business in economically, environmentally and socially sustainable ways. For more information on Live Positively, visit www.thecoca-colacompany.com/citizenship/index.html.