Coca-Cola has been operating in Bangladesh for 60 years, refreshing and spreading happiness through our most cherished beverages. Our environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities are integrated into our strategy. We’re focused on areas where we can have a measurable, positive impact on the communities we serve. Our ESG initiatives are interconnected, and so are the solutions we support. We seek an exponentially greater impact by fostering collective action: partnering across industry, government and society to address shared challenges. Our ESG priorities are integrated with the United Nations’ 17 SDGs and applied through local projects to support Bangladesh in achieving major SDG goals. Alongside the brand, our bottling partners International Beverages Private Limited and Abdul Monem Limited have aligned their business interests with the interests of the communities which reinforces the Coca-Cola system’s commitment to doing business the right way.
Water is a top business priority. It is the principal ingredient in the products we make and is critical for the agricultural products we use. Through the 2030 Water Security Strategy we announced in 2021, we’re focused on achieving water security where the company operates and sources ingredients, concentrating on water-stressed areas. The Coca-Cola Foundation and 2030 Water Resources Group jointly developed the “Introducing of Water-Efficient Technologies” (IWET) project in Barind Tract with the specific overarching goal to enhance agro-water productivity both in terms of efficiency (More Crop per Drop) as well as economic productivity (Value per Drop). The project increased livelihood opportunities for 10,000 Barind farmers and 50,000 beneficiaries from 6 sub-districts. Additionally, in partnership with WaterAid, Coca-Cola initiated WASH projects in rural areas with the objective to help community members gain access to a sustainable supply of safe drinking water. These projects have supported hygiene management awareness campaigns for local girls and hand washing and sanitation facilities across schools and community centers. Our bottling partners, International Beverages Private Limited (IBPL) and Abdul Monem Limited (AML) have installed a Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting project with the aim of giving back more than 100% of the water utilized in the bottling process.
We continue to make meaningful progress on our World Without Waste packaging initiative. Coca-Cola has been a successful partner of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup consecutively for the past 11 years. Through this initiative, Coca-Cola is playing a major role in preserving the only coral island in Bangladesh, St. Martin’s. They are actively partnering with different organizations to collect plastic bottles and promote recycling to establish a circular economy in the country. Recently, The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) has funded Social Responsibility Asia (SR Asia) for their project titled “Integrated Management of Plastic Assortment and Contribution Towards Green Economy” (IMPACT-GE). During its first 6 months, the project aims to collect.
and recycle PET and impact the lives of 1.37 million people in Dhaka South City Corporation. TCCF is also partnering with CordAid Bangladesh for a new project titled Recycling for the Environment by Strengthening Income & Livelihood of Entrepreneurs- RESILIENT. The project aims to foster the economic and social well-being of waste workers for safe and dignified collection of plastic waste for recycling in Dhaka North City Corporation & Narayanganj City Corporation. TCCF had previously supported BRAC for the project, “Bandhan”, to develop a model for safe life and livelihood of waste workers in 13 low-income informal settlements of Dhaka. 8 wash blocks were created for waste workers during this time.
The Coca-Cola Company announced globally to empower 5 million women by 2020 in 2015. Under this initiative, the company launched Women Business Centre in Bangladesh. Since the inception, 70 WBCs were established in Jamalpur, Khulna, and Bagerhat districts, directly impacting the well-being and economic empowerment of 100,000 women and indirectly 400,000 people. Additionally, 30 new WBCs have been launched in Sunamganj and Gopalganj, to support an additional 40,000 women entrepreneurs during the current year.
Apart from sustainability initiatives, the company stepped up to support Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. With support from the Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), Coca-Cola Bangladesh pledged BDT 11.5 crore towards COVID-19 relief measures to support vulnerable and marginalized communities across Bangladesh. The relief programs aimed at positively impacting 50 lakh lives in Bangladesh. Coca-Cola partnered with CARE Bangladesh to provide food packages to 10,220 households and dignity kits to 14,555 households, positively impacting approximately 100,000 people. The company has also supported vaccination roll-out in partnership with Bangladesh Red Crescent Society during the nationwide COVID Vaccination roll-out by the Government.
The company’s first-ever Sustainability report, was launched in 2021 that highlighted all the activities done. Our purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. Our company and system employees make this possible every day. Together, we’re using our global presence to build a more sustainable future for our business in Bangladesh and the planet.
