Coca-Cola Reacts to Durbanite’s Plea After Flood: “Yes, We Are IN”
When Durban resident Richard McLennan posted a message to Coca-Cola on Facebook yesterday, he couldn’t have expected a better response. Following the devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal this week – which caused debris from the ocean to be washed ashore, including many plastic coke bottles – Richard reached out to the soft drink company through social media. […]
When Durban resident Richard McLennan posted a message to Coca-Cola on Facebook yesterday, he couldn’t have expected a better response. Following the devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal this week – which caused debris from the ocean to be washed ashore, including many plastic coke bottles – Richard reached out to the soft drink company through social media.
Richard wrote:
Dear Coca-Cola South Africa, as you are no doubt aware we have had some serious rain and flooding in KZN, besides the loss of lives, damage to homes, schools and roads we have also seen our rivers spilling huge amounts of plastic waste into our oceans. A lot of this waste is actually your empty bottles.
Much of this plastic waste will end up far out at sea where it takes hundreds of years to decompose, if its not consumed by marine animals, either way this is bad for our planet and your brand.
Now, there is some good news, as I write this, a large amount of this plastic is washing up on our beaches, it will eventually get washed back to sea but this does give us a short window to cleanup.
Local municipalities have insufficient resource to deal with this quickly and effectively, any chance Coca Cola can muck in and help us clean up their bottles, you would be setting a great example for the rest of big business.
Following several comments criticising the soft drink company, Richard posted the following update: “to clarify, I DO NOT blame Coke for this litter, short term I am asking them to assist in cleaning up our beaches, medium to long term I am asking them to put top of their corporate responsibility: recycle initiatives, education around recycling and the development of environmentally friendly packaging and maybe even to create employment opportunities around recycling and waste collection.”
Coca-Cola was quick to respond, asking for Richard’s contact details and reassuring him that “this matter is top of mind and we are working on solution projects”.
“Yes, we are in, we would like to meet with you asap so we can make this happen”
A little later Team Coca-Cola South Africa invited Richard to meet with them, saying “we appreciate citizens who are actively involved in the community and care about the environment. 🙂 Yes, we are in, we would like to meet with you asap so we can make this happen. Can you come through to our offices tomorrow? We are planning a coastal inspection in the morning. Please check your inbox for the contact. Thanks.”
Richard posted an update to keep everyone in the loop, saying “Coke have made contact, we have their full support. I am meeting them [today]. Will keep you posted.”
As one Facebook user, Cherine Burgess, said: “A good citizen Richard made a valued comment and Coca-Cola have come forward to help. Thanks to both sides for looking after our environment!!!!”
#ThingsGoBetterForDurbanBeaches