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Taking corporate responsibility to heart
By Connie Beard
Published October 4, 2009
Corporate responsibility could almost be called a catch phrase for large corporations looking to place a better image before their consumers.
Coca-Cola Enterprises is taking the phrase corporate responsibility to heart by implementing a company-wide plan that involves energy conservation and climate change, water stewardship, sustainable packaging and recycling, product portfolio and well-being and a diverse and inclusive culture. The plan is called Commitment 2020, which is also the target date the corporation has set to have all its goals fulfilled.
From the largest bottling plants, to the smaller distribution facilities, employees all over the world are encouraged to find ways to implement these core environmental areas at their local level.
“We’re taking an aggressive approach to the responsibility and the effects of sustainability here,” said Jeff Byrum, sales center manager at Paris Coca-Cola.
“All of the 431 facilities are doing something in their community using one of the five key areas.”
Paris Coca-Cola launched a new local initiative Monday by adopting a two-mile stretch of Farm Road 1510. Their goal is two fold. Not only was the trash picked up and the area beautified, employees brought the recyclable items back to the facility and sent them off to be recycled, thereby reducing and eliminating contributions in the waste stream.
Environmental efforts are also being implemented within the 102-year-old building at 1033 Bonham Street.
Lighting in the approximately 60,000 square-foot warehouse has been changed to new fluorescent bulbs, which have a high light output but use less energy. Recycle drums are found throughout the facility, so employees don’t have to travel far to pitch in such items as aluminum, paper or cardboard. Even the shrink wrap used to hold products onto pallets is saved and sent back to be recycled.
Right now the recycling effort is just part of the company structure, but Byrum views it as the beginning of a widespread effort.
“Hopefully, it could become reality in town, to encourage recycling,” Byrum said. “I’m pushing for this to get traction. Most businesses try to encourage recycling, but it’s more than just going green. There’s more we have to do to be a good corporate citizen.
“My hope is our employees will put this into proactive use in their homes.” The company also offers discounts to employees when they purchase CFL lighting.
Another way Paris Coca-Cola is reducing their carbon footprint is by mapping their customers’ buying patterns. This will allow them to refine their delivery routes for more efficiency.
“We’re doing a lot of good things in the right direction,” Byrum said.
Maintaining a diverse and inclusive culture, one of the Commitment 2020 goals, is not a new concept at the Paris facility.
“Our employee base reflects the community we serve,” Byrum said. “The culture we value is the culture we work for. We respect each other. It’s a team family atmosphere.”
Paris Coca-Cola moves 1.4 million cases of product through its facility on an annual basis. The company has 10 delivery trucks for a service area which covers all of Lamar County, parts of Fannin County, east to Clarksville, south to Cooper and as far north as Hugo, Antlers and Clayton in Oklahoma.
There are 38 employees with six sales people working out of the Paris facility.
Previous to 1986, this facility bottled its own product, which was then delivered to customers. Now, the Paris facility is used for local sales and distribution, pulling product in from bottling plants in Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco and Abilene.
Byrum said this became a necessity when Coca-Cola began diversifying its products, adding items such as water and enhanced water, juices, energy drinks and more. The Paris facility also distributes Minute Maid products in addition to the V-8 Fusion line.
“We have a well rounded line of products for our consumers, but we still have our base consumers,” Byrum said. “You have to diversify what you’re offering to meet demand and preferences in different categories.”
That diversification has helped the company weather the recent economic downturn.
“Consumer patterns have changed, but not to any effect,” Byrum said. “Business remains pretty healthy. We’ve been able to maintain good business in spite of the economic condition.”
Commitment 2020 targets operational efficiencies, innovative ways to eliminate waste and reduce the water use ratio from the current 1.73 liters of water to produce one liter of product down to one liter of water for one liter of product. Packaging is being reworked to make it 100 percent recylable. Vending machines now use half the energy they did just five years ago, and the new machines will reduce energy use another 20 percent in 2010.
The company is also moving toward a fleet of hybrid electric delivery trucks.
“We can make a profound difference in the world through our actions,” said John Brock, CEO, in a video produced by Coca-Cola Enterprises.
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