How Coke use can ruin the Environment

I was sat on a train this afternoon when I had a possibly astonishing thought, specifically about how peoples use of Coke can contribute in a convoluted way to degredation of the environment. It might be wise of me to clarify that I'm not talking about Cocaine, just a humble can of Coca-Cola, Diet-Coke or Coke-Zero; you're welcome to take your pick. Whilst it is amusing to note that Coke wasn't Cocaine free until around about 1929, there really wasn't ever much in there in the first place and it was really just extract of coca leaf.

My interesting thought was around the concept about how Coke is produced locally, well perhaps not as locally as around the back of Tesco's but more so in plants in a specific country. I don't know how it works exactly, but I'm making the assumption that Coke consumed in the UK is produced here. Disregarding post-mix drinks that you get in a pub, a can of Coke in the UK will taste the same as bottled Coke, where ever you are in the country.

Well.....that is unless you visit your local takeaway. Of course I intend no offence towards venues of such stature, but bear with me. If you have ever had a can of Coke (or any other fizzy soft drink for that matter) and it has tasted funny, I can explain why. If the can in question has foreign writing on it then it's not too far wrong to judge that it has come from a foreign country. Coming back to my earlier point of locally produced Coke, that explains why it tastes funny, not funny in a bad way, perhaps just a "different" way. This appears to be the next step up from selling multipack cans seperately, getting cheaper cans from foreign lands.

It's likely that the takeaways are buying the cans locally, but whoever they are buying them from may well be bringing them in from elsewhere. Cheaper they may be to the takeaway, much like any other product that has to travel long distances there has to be some carbon footprint consequence along the line. So the next time you're off your face on drink, or just contemplating a late night snack thanks to the munchies, think about what you are doing. It's not all about turning down your heating, turning your devices (PCs/XBox/Playstations etc) off or even hanging out your washing to dry rather than using the tumble dryer, YOU can make a difference. When munching on your large doner kebab with chilli sauce, make a choice and buy only local British Coke. You too can make a difference to our carbon footprint by making a stand today.