Coca-Cola Mexico has embarked on significant water sustainability initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to addressing environmental challenges and ensuring access to clean water for communities. Marking the observation of World Wetlands Day this February 2, 2025, the company, in collaboration with Arca Continental and Grupo Rica, has made noteworthy advancements aimed at enhancing water management and accessibility.
One of the standout projects is the development of artificial wetlands funded by Arca Continental, which invested 80 million pesos for wastewater treatment solutions across Mexico. These wetlands, established with the assistance of Pronatura Mexico and Pronatura Noroeste, are located at two key sites: Cihuatlán, Jalisco, and the Mexicali Valley, Baja California. They function by treating wastewater through natural filtration systems, utilizing biofilters of sand and gravel along with specially chosen plants to eliminate contaminants effectively.
The wetland located in Cihuatlán benefits over 18,000 individuals annually. It not only aids the treatment of wastewater but also contributes to the local ecosystem by helping restore nearby lagoons and enhancing biodiversity. The facility also supports a 780-square-meter agroforestry nursery, which residents utilize to cultivate ornamental plants, fostering economic benefits for the area's inhabitants. With the ability to treat around 34 liters per second, this system yields over 1 billion liters of treated water annually.
Meanwhile, the Mexicali Valley wetland operates under similar principles, aimed at managing approximately 900 million liters of water each year, achieving about 75% efficiency in contaminant reduction. The systems have the capacity to adapt and grow, projecting future treatment rates of up to 70 liters per second, ensuring effective operations.
Both artificial wetlands represent low-energy, low-maintenance solutions, avoiding chemical treatment methods by leveraging natural processes for water management. This initiative celebrates the synergy between public, private, and civil organizations focused on environmental conservation, as highlighted by Arca Continental's statement emphasizing the transformative power of such collaborations.
Complementing these initiatives, Coca-Cola Mexico has also launched the "Escuelas con Agua" program. Collaboratively developed with Grupo Rica, this project seeks to guarantee access to clean water in schools across the states of Morelos and Hidalgo. During the launch at the Margarita Maza de Juárez school, various stakeholders recognized the significance of ensuring water access to educational facilities, as articulated by Governor Margarita González Saravia, who noted, "El acceso al agua en las escuelas es fundamental para el bienestar y desarrollo de la niñez."
The initiative has already installed 32 rainwater harvesting systems across multiple schools, benefiting more than 13,000 students. Patricio Caso Prado, Director of Public Affairs, Communication, and Sustainability at Coca-Cola Mexico, emphasized the broader impact this initiative has on students’ academic and social development, alongside promoting responsible water usage habits.
Grupo Rica's director, Miguel Guizado Aguirre, reaffirmed the company's commitment to sustainability, announcing their goal to return 100% of the water utilized during processes by 2030. This strong pledge aligns with the overall vision of fostering educational growth and environmental stewardship within communities.
The combined initiatives from Coca-Cola Mexico showcase its dedication to sustainable water practices and highlight the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration for societal benefit. They not only address immediate needs for clean water but also contribute to long-term ecological and economic sustainability, transforming lives and empowering communities.