Consumer Goods Forum How-to guide will help drive phase-out of HFCs

In March the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) announced the publication of their Activation Toolkit, which provides recommendations on how to embark on implementing CGF sustainability resolutions, an essential tool for member companies that have not yet embarked on the phase-out of HFC refrigerants from new equipment. Coca-Cola Enterprises proves that it can be done.

In 2010 the CGF, which consists of 400 global consumer good manufacturers announced plans to phase out HFC refrigerants and replace them with natural refrigerants as of 2015, where these are permitted by country-level regulations. The newly released Sustainability Activation Toolkit, provides guidance on the steps to follow to meet the CGF resolution on refrigeration, as well as providing useful contacts and ways of measuring progress.

CGF resolution implementation in 5 easy steps

The report encourages CGF member companies to approach the implementation of the CGF resolution on phasing-out of HFCs from 2015 in 5 gradual steps:

Make a public commitment to phase out HFC refrigerants in new installations from 2015
Start piloting solutions for new installations with natural refrigerants now
Measure existing footprint and share best practices on natural refrigerant pilots
Publicly communicate about progress
Contribute voluntarily to a set of case studies to raise awareness

CGF member companies are also encouraged to minimise leaks in existing refrigeration systems through maintenance, effective detection and prompt repairs.

“The Activation Toolkit is a true collaboration. It brings together the experiences of those that have had success in the area of sustainability, and it provides genuine insight into how companies can achieve the resolutions put forward by the CGF Board. It’s a great resource, and we expect to see some great success stories as a result of the Activation Toolkit,” says Gail Klintworth, chief sustainability officer, Unilever and fellow co-chair of the sustainability work stream.

100% of Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) cooler purchases HFC-free

Two year’s ahead of the 2015 CGF resolution, Coca-Cola Enterprises will already meet its pledge this year, by buying only HFC-free refrigerators as from 1 January 2013. Going HFC-free is part of their commitment to reduce the carbon footprint of their business operations by 15% by 2020.

Danny Brando, Climate Change Manager for cold drinks equipment, says: “At the beginning of 2010, only 50.4% of our new coolers were HFC-free. To help with the transition, we worked with our procurement, inventory and commercial teams to understand what implications this commitment could have to the business and how they could best overcome them.

As a result over the next three years the number of CCE coolers in the market that are HFC-free is predicted to grow to 28%.

Background

Created in June 2009, the Consumer Goods Forum brings together the CEOs and senior management of over 400 retailers, manufacturers, service providers and other stakeholders across 70 countries. The Forum provides a unique global platform for knowledge exchange and initiatives.

The CGF Activation Toolkit is part of the CGF Sustainability Pillar, and in addition to refrigeration provides recommendations regarding: