Coca-cola reinforces commitment to environment with unveiling of Olympic
Torch Relay sustainability plan and expansion of hybrid-electric fleet

VANCOUVER , Sept. 30 /CNW/ - The Coca-Cola system in Canada today announced that it will expand its fleet of hybrid-electric delivery trucks across Canada as part of its ongoing commitment to corporate responsibility and sustainability. It also released details on its sustainability plans for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.

"We are proud to be expanding Canada's largest fleet of heavy-duty hybrid diesel-electric delivery vehicles. We will be adding 15 hybrid single axle tractors to our existing hybrid fleet of 20 side-bay trucks and 2 straight trucks," said Kevin Warren , President, Coca-Cola Bottling Company. "This is one of several ways we are investing to reduce energy consumption in our fleet, facilities and vending equipment."

"The expansion of our hybrid truck fleet across North America is a critical component of our commitment to reduce our overall carbon footprint by 15 percent by the year 2020," said John Brock , Chairman and CEO, Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. In July, the company announced its commitment to achieve its overall Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability goals by the year 2020, what they are calling Commitment 2020. Other Commitment 2020 goals include having a water-neutral impact on local communities and recovering the equivalent of 100 percent of its packaging.

"Today's announcements demonstrate how hosting an Olympic Games can bring additional investments for Vancouver , British Columbia and Canada ," said the Hon. Mary McNeil, B.C.'s Minister of State for the Olympics and ActNow BC. "Coca-Cola's hybrid fleet expansion and Olympic sustainability plans are excellent examples of one company's ongoing commitment to sustainable economies and communities."

The trucks use about 30 percent less fuel and produce about 30 percent fewer emissions than standard tractors. Over the next month, these first-of-their kind vehicles will be deployed across five cities - Vancouver , London , Toronto , Ottawa and Montreal . They also have the added distinction of having been made in Canada - in Sainte-Therese, Quebec by the Kenworth division of Paccar.

The technology in these hybrid delivery vehicles will help support Coca-Cola's sustainability efforts around the Olympic Torch Relay (OTR).

As Presenting Partner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola hopes to inspire people to take positive action in their communities by demonstrating its commitment to active living and sustainability. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola announced its Olympic Games Sustainability Plan. One pillar of the plan is the first carbon neutral Olympic Games activation. This commitment includes carbon neutral activation of the Olympic Torch Relay.

    
    How will Coca-Cola meet this goal?

    -   "Green" vehicles wherever possible
           -  7 hybrid and 2 Bio-Diesel vehicles

    -   Advance product sampling vehicles will be electric powered Olympias
           -  There are only 12 in the world - Coca-Cola will be using 2 for
              the OTR

    -   Driver training for fuel/emission reduction

    -   Engaging local communities in the creation of Green Teams- teams of
        volunteers who will work at celebration sites to collect and recycle
        packages. In addition, Coca-Cola will offer recycling barrels to
        communities along the route and interactive Coca-Cola vehicles will
        provide educational information on the value of recycling.

    -   RPET Uniforms (clothing made from recycled PET bottles) for all
        staff.
           -  Each Coke OTR uniform contains 126 bottles

    -   All premiums will be made with 100 percent recycled materials
        including RPET. Technology had to be created specifically for the
        creation of pennants to meet RPET goals.

    -   Coca-Cola will recycle all cardboard from the boxes that package the
        Olympic Torches as well as all OTR Crew PET bottles (550+ daily).

    -   Coca-Cola will purchase gold standard offsets for the balance of
        emissions.
    

"Our Olympic Games Sustainability Plan is a call to action to Canadians and businesses alike - we all need to take action to protect the environment. The Coca-Cola Olympic Games Sustainability Plan is the most aggressive environmental protection plan ever undertaken by an Olympic Games sponsor," said Nicola Kettlitz, General Manager, Coca-Cola Olympic Project Team.

The overall Coca-Cola Olympic Games Sustainability Program will profile best environmental practices, including hybrid-electric sales and delivery vehicles, the first HFC-free coolers used in Canada , and the use of PlantBottle, a new plastic made partially from plants that is fully recyclable. Additionally, as part of the Coca-Cola "Give it Back" recycling campaign, more than 800 recycling barrels will be placed in Olympic venues and live sites to collect all PET bottles.

"Through our global partnership with The Coca-Cola Company, we have worked together to set ambitious targets for improved water efficiency and for reducing carbon emissions," says Gerald Butts , President and CEO WWF-Canada. "We applaud Coca-Cola Enterprises for joining the fight against climate change with an ambitious commitment to reduce their carbon footprint by 15 per cent by 2020."

About Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.

Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. is the world's largest marketer, distributor, and producer of bottle and can liquid non-alcoholic refreshment. CCE sells approximately 80 percent of The Coca-Cola Company's bottle and can volume in North America and is the sole licensed bottler for products of The Coca-Cola Company in Belgium , continental France , Great Britain, Luxembourg , Monaco , and the Netherlands . For more information about our company, please visit our website at http://www.cokecce.com.

About Coca-Cola Bottling Company

Coca-Cola Bottling Company, a wholly-owned operating division of Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., operates in all 10 provinces and employs 5,500 people across Canada . The company produces, sells and/or distributes a full range of sparkling and still beverages, including, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, diet Coke, caffeine free diet Coca-Cola, Sprite, diet Sprite Zero, Five Alive, Fruitopia, Fresca, Barq's root beer, Cplus beverages, Fanta, Nestea ice teas, AriZona iced teas, Orangina, POWERaDE sports drinks, Monster, Full Throttle, glacéau vitaminwater, Evian, DASANI remineralized water, FUZE, V8 vegetable and fruit juices, and Minute Maid 100% juices.

Coca-Cola In Canada

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. In Canada , the Company is represented by its subsidiary, Coca-Cola Ltd. (Coca-Cola in Canada ). Coca-Cola is Canada's largest beverage company. Coca-Cola in Canada markets three of Canada's top non-alcoholic sparkling beverage brands, Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and Sprite, and the leading ready-to-drink tea: Nestea. In addition, our subsidiary is the largest juice and juice drinks company with Minute Maid, Five Alive and Fruitopia. The Company also markets DASANI, PowerAde and other hot and cold beverages.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Nini Krishnappa, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, [phone], [email protected]; Jill Batie, Hill and Knowlton, [phone], [email protected]