Coca-Cola and the Environment Coca-Cola is committed to making a positive difference - to the health of the planet, consumers and the communities it serves. The company is working hard to reduce its impact on the environment in everything it does - growing more while using less in areas such as energy and water use, waste reduction and recycling - and by encouraging people to think more about the positive impact they can have on their local environment. Edmond Lombardi arrived on South African shores in the 1930s and settled in the lush and tranquil region of Elgin Valley, Western Cape. It was there that he cast his eyes over the lowland and came to realise that Elgin Valley was unique and distinct, as would his soon-to-be world-class fruit juice that we know today as Appletiser.