Florida's beverage industry is committed to protecting our state's natural environment. Our industry includes some of the world's leaders in environmental programs and policies and we are constantly striving to increase recycling and reuse rates and to enhance the sustainability of our packaging and business practices.

Water

Although water is the primary ingredient in many of our beverages, the beverage industry actually uses a surprisingly small amount of water. In fact, we only use one third of one percent of all public water use.

Our industry does its part to protect water resources by practicing sound environmental polices that:

1. Protect natural resources
2. Minimize effluent, or wastewater
3. Properly clean wastewater before it is released into the environment
4. Reduce water consumption by employing water recycling systems that include recycled water in the production process wherever possible
5. Help prevent groundwater contamination
6. Enhance global water sustainability and community programs. For example
   • Coca-Cola’s collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund in Europe on water efficiency, and the Roundabout Playpumps in Africa, which helps bring sustainable sources of water to rural areas
   • PepsiCo China has won awards and recognition for its involvement with the Mother Water Cellar Project, which helps provide access to water to residents in dry areas of rural China
   • Cadbury Schweppes partnered with Kuapa Kokoo, a farmer’s cooperative and the non-profit WaterAid to help cocoa farming communities in Ghana build water wells

Recycling

The beverage industry’s bottles and cans are among the most recycled consumer packaging in the U.S. We work hard to package our products with materials that are widely accepted in recycling programs and are designed to be recyclable with other, similar materials. We also have a commitment to helping with recycling efforts around the country – a commitment we have had for many years. And we are always looking for ways to do more.

One primary example of this dedication occurred last October when the American Beverage Association became a founding member in the National Recycling Partnership (NRP) created to reinvigorate recycling in America. This historic partnership—which includes the National Recycling Coalition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Food Marketing Institute, the Grocery Manufacturers Association and the International Bottled Water Association—aims to revive consumers’ interest in recycling by educating them on what, how and why to recycle.

A top priority for the National Recycling Partnership coalition is the development and dissemination of consumer-friendly recycling icons as well as accurate and standardized recycling terminology for use in product labeling and advertising.