Coca-Cola wins its first green medal for its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint at the Beijing 2008 Olympics by using climate-friendly coolers and vending machines in all official venues. The 6,350 new eco-friendly refrigeration machines have an anticipated 10-year lifespan, and are expected to save a total of 45,000 metric tons of carbon. That’s the equivalent of taking 218,000 cars off the road for two weeks during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Here’s more from Greenpeace after the JUMP —>

This is the first time 100% of the Coca-Cola coolers and vending machines for the Games will feature hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-free insulation, HFC-free natural refrigerant, and a proprietary technology called Energy Management System (EMS) that improves energy-efficiency by up to 35%

This innovative approach of combining natural refrigerants and energy-efficient technology is a great example of how a business can work with other stakeholders to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We hope Coca-Cola’s efforts can accelerate industry-wide actions to combat climate change, said LO Sze Ping, Campaign and Communications Director of Greenpeace China.

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