Coke, Tesco vow to go green

An Expo star candidate (left) and Shanghainese singer Shang Wenjie. [en.expo2010.cn]

Coca-Cola and the UK-based retail giant Tesco on November 4, 2009 jointly launched a campaign in Shanghai to reduce packaging and energy use and present more reusable shopping bags to customers for the coming World Expo 2010 Shanghai.

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Coca-Cola will invite more retailers around the world to join the campaign. The company will also promote healthy, green lifestyles with its products around the world.

Meanwhile, James Padovan, Tesco China's commercial director, was named an "Expo Star" by the Expo organizer to award his energy-saving efforts. The title means he is now a model citizen and able to spread the word about environmental protection.

"I am really honored by the Expo Star title," said Padovan. "I think this is a recognition of Tesco's commitment to becoming a greener and more sustainable organization, both globally and locally."

Coca-Cola organized a national Expo campus campaign earlier this year and has named 400 university student Expo stars as a result.

"As global partner for the World Expo in Shanghai 2010, the Coca-Cola company is committed to turn the 'Better City, Better Life' vision into reality, and unite the Expo theme of sustainability and Coke's own mission of 'Live Positively,'" said David Brooks, chief operating officer of Coca-Cola Bottler Investment Group.

Coca-Cola was the first US company to become a global partner of the Shanghai Expo. The company has produced a commemorative bottle featuring "Haibao," the mascot of the Expo. It will also build a corporate pavilion at the event.