A look at Coke's green streak with Jeffrey Foote

Coca-Cola doesn't spring to mind when compiling a list of green businesses, but like all big brands these days, the beverage behemoth is dedicating resources to reducing its environmental impact.

Jeffrey Foote, director of customer sustainability for the Coca-Cola Company, has been leading sustainability efforts there for more for more than a decade.

Next week, Foote comes to Portland to share his perspective with other sustainability leaders at the 5th Annual International Conference on Business & Sustainability put on by Portland State University.

Curious about what sustainability looks like at one of the world's biggest brands, Sustainable Business Oregon lobbed some questions to Foote. Here's what we found out:

Sustainable Business Oregon: Sorry in advance, but I'm starting with a broad question. How does a global brand like Coca-Cola approach sustainability when there are so many moving parts to the business? Where does someone in your position start?

Jeffrey Foote: Sustainability is an integral part of Coca-Cola’s roadmap for success. As our Chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent often says, “Our business is only as sustainable as the communities where we do business.”

We focus our efforts where we can have the most significant impacts: water stewardship, sustainable packaging, energy efficiency, climate protection and healthy communities. We publicly set goals in each of these impact areas that are aggressive and time bound.

In my position, I recommend starting by making sure my work is aligned to and supports the company’s mission and vision. From there, I work passionately, innovatively and collaboratively to further sustainability while adding value to the business.

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@SustainableBzOR | christinawilliams@bizjournals.com