Coke: Lean, Green Eco Machines?

I know that I’ve been critical of Coca-Cola in the past, but this past week, they’ve turned away from ridiculous recycled T-shirts for a second to address one of the most important problems in the beverage industry: vending machines.

We don’t realize it because vending machines have become a part of the landscape for us, but take a moment to stop and think. Each vending machine is, in effect, a large refrigerator with lights. They use ungodly amounts of energy keeping bottles and cans cold, as well as emit harmful greenhouse gases.

A few years ago, Coke committed to greening their vending machines. They tested a new CO2-cooled unit, which (although far from perfect) emits 75% fewer greenhouse gasses then their outdated counterparts. Currently, Coke has over 10 million vending machines, and as the test-run of 6000 Co2-cooled united proved successful, they’ve ordered 100,000 more.

100,000 out of 10,000,000? Well, it is a start, I guess.

Read more at Green Daily.

Picture via sxc.hu.