Water stewardship and plastic waste management are two sides of the same coin

Jacques Vermeulen, CEO Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.

Water is essential for life, it is a scarce resource in many parts of Africa, and it is also the first ingredient in the products made by Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA). Plastic, on the other hand, has become an indispensable part of modern life, especially in its role as a hygienic, affordable, lightweight and convenient packaging material for food and beverage products, yet is also a threat to the sustainability of the continent's water sources.

Africa is blessed with some of the world's most significant freshwater bodies, including the Nile, the Congo, and the Niger. These water systems support agriculture, human settlements and economic activity for millions of people, as well as being vital habitats for aquatic life.