British soda makers examine green options

What impact do soft drink makers have on the environment? That’s a question being asked in earnest now in the United Kingdom.

The British government and half the country’s top soda makers have signed on for a supply chain study that will examine how the fizzy beverage sector can reduce it’s environmental footprint.

From growing and processing fruit and sugar, to refrigeration to tonnes of packaging waste, soda companies have a substantial impact on the environment, according to the Soft Drinks Sustainability Roadmap study.

A number of initiatives combined could cut soda makers' environment footprint by as much as 20 per cent, researchers say. Among them: using less water, better refrigeration methods and switching to low-carbon fertilizer in the growing phase.

Companies involved in the study include Coca-Cola and Britvic Soft Drinks, which distributes Pepsi and 7Up on behalf of PepsiCo.

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