Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) GB, the largest independent bottler of Coca-Cola globally, will be the Official Soft Drinks Provider to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The Games will take place from 28 July until 8 August at venues across Birmingham, featuring around 4,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories participating in 19 sports and 8 para sports, including Athletics, Diving and Cycling.
CCEP, which makes, sells and delivers some of the world’s most-loved soft drinks, will be supplying Coca-Cola Zero Sugar to the one million spectators expected to attend the Games, alongside a number of their other products.
CCEP will be supporting Birmingham 2022 in its ambition to be the first Commonwealth Games with a carbon-neutral legacy, with activity focused around three of the Games’ key sustainability pillars – carbon and air quality, conservation, and circular economy principles, to minimise waste.
All bottles sold at the venues’ outlets will be 100% recyclable and made from 100% recycled plastic. CCEP will be working closely with Birmingham 2022’s waste management and recycling providers, including Games sponsor Biffa, to ensure plastics collected from all Games sites are processed and recycled. Messaging will be present on all catering outlets reminding customers to recycle their packaging.
The soft drinks manufacturer will use low carbon options transport where possible, such as electric vehicles, to ensure products arrive at venues in a sustainable way. As a business, CCEP has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emission by 30% by 2030 and has set an overall ambition to reach net zero by 2040.
Ahead of Birmingham 2022, CCEP is also partnering with charity, the Canal & River Trust, on a project to improve and enhance three key areas along the Birmingham canal network, which act as sustainable transport routes for the Games. CCEP will provide funding and volunteer support to the project.
Sam Jones, Head of Climate and Sustainability at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners GB, said: “Birmingham 2022 is an inclusive celebration, and we’re proud to bring our much-loved drinks to Birmingham for everyone to enjoy together in a sustainable way.
“It’s a privilege to be collaborating with Birmingham 2022 and other participating partners, to deliver a Games which supports long-term sustainable behaviour change and creates a lasting legacy for local communities. Stats show that only 47% of people know you can recycle a plastic bottle, and we hope that by engaging people through sport we can create a powerful learning opportunity.
“Sustainability sits right at the heart of our business strategy, and the values of our dedicated This is Forward action plan align closely with those underpinning the Games. Birmingham 2022 offers a real opportunity to show what can be achieved when we all work together towards one goal, and we’re honoured to be playing a part in it.”
Sue Creed, Head of Catering, Cleaning & Waste Management at Birmingham 2022, said: “CCEP is a hugely influential sector leader and we’re delighted to welcome them on board as Official Soft Drinks Provider.
“In just over a month, more than a million spectators will be visiting the West Midlands to watch 11 days of elite sport, featuring some of the world’s finest athletes. Part of that experience is enjoying drinks in venues and we’re looking forward to working together to provide refreshments including some of the world’s most recognisable brands.”
Katie Sadleir, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with CCEP as they become the Official Soft Drinks Provider of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Thousands of people will be watching world class sport at 15 incredible venues across the West Midlands this summer and together with CCEP and their well-known brands, spectators can enjoy a top-quality drink during every exciting moment of the Games.”
