It takes 50-60 gallons of water to make one liter of Coca-Cola. Did you know that? We didn't, until we heard it on NPR this week. Most of that water goes into the sugar cane to produce the soft drink.
In response to pressure to improve their sustainability practices, and concerned that a world water shortage is a real possibility, Coke has pledged to return all the water they use in creating their products - all 76 billion gallons - to nature. They plan to do this through a $20 million project to help conserve seven watersheds, including the Yangtze in China, and the Rio Grande. They have also pledged to make some changes in their bottling plants and to recycle more water in the process. What do you think? Good step for Coke?
I thought American Coke was made with corn syrup? Is this for only Coke sweetened with sugar cane?
view laura dot's profile
I know that here in America and everywhere in the world nowdays people LOVE Coke. But this is another strong reason for them to close the plants, or convert themselves into some business that treats sugar cane to produce energy. Coke is one of the most unhealthy drinks that anyone can have, and worse a child can have. IT has been proven that all carbonated drinks do a number on your bones, hence the problems that a lot of people here have with the bone density issues.
So no - this is not good enough (the step Coke Inc is taking) they need to do more and fast. Nothing good would have been achieved in this world if the human nature was not of that to always PUSH the envelope, do more that it is expected of us, for the future generations.
view Anusha73's profile
I LOVE coke and it breaks my heart every time I hear yet another story about how socially irresponsible they can be. Between conservation issues, murdering union organizers, and health concerns...I had to give it up. But oh how I miss it.
view pleasantlyfurious's profile
I love coke too and dont think I could or have the desire to give it up. Its sad that when you read something positive a manufacturer wants to do all the comments are negative. I say thank you coke for trying to do something good for the environment
view rae729's profile
So if we drink diet coke with no sugar can we feel less guilty? As long as we're ok with consuming chemicals?
view kdb's profile
I really used to dig a glass of coke with a good burger and fries. They just taste good together. But if one finds all the negatives on one's health, that topped with the fact the it takes 50-60 gallons of water to process cane sugar to make 1 liter (one liter is roughly less than one fourth of a gallon), then I really would ask the hard questions to myself. How many people would suffer from my "I don't care attitude" Please all, it is time to wake up.
view Anusha73's profile
I guess I thought that a lot of sugar cane grows in areas with high rainfall in which case it's not a waste of water - just mother nature. But if the sugar cane is being cultivated in a dry area then it is a waste of water.
view kdb's profile
I'm not sure the water usage is just for growing sugar, but may be in processing it into a useable state for making Coke.
view ciddyguy's profile