Playing a positive role in the community and in the lives of our associates and their families has always been part of our philosophy at Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast. It's why we pride ourselves on local engagement and support the development of our associates. Whether it's educating groups about our sustainability initiatives and recycling best practices or supporting scholarships for local youth, we aim to give back to the communities that have given us so much over the years.
We want to be part of the fabric of our communities because we love the Northeast as much as you do. Whether it’s our sustainability education, product donations, facility tours, sponsorships, volunteerism, board participation or creating awareness through our market presence, it is our mission to positively impact the people and communities we serve.
We care about the future of our planet. We understand that we have a responsibility to reduce waste and advance recycling so that our packaging can take on a second life. From our zero-waste production facilities to educating community groups about recycling, we walk the walk.
Our sustainability outreach program started as a simple conversation between one of our associates and a local school teacher about what happens to our packaging when it's recycled. That Interaction years ago inspired us to launch a traveling program that engages countless groups throughout the Northeast about recycling best practices and how we embrace sustainable operations in our business. We spend over 120 days a year In the community teaching at schools, on college campuses, in state houses, and at local events. This program has touched thousands of people since it started, and we're always looking for new groups to work with.
We make learning hands-on by showing participants how recycling works and how materials can be transformed to give products a second life. The relationships we've developed with local manufacturers ensure that our recycled materials help support the economy and the environment in the Northeast.
We believe all children should have the opportunity to reach their full potential. To help enable this, the Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast Scholarship Program and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation exists to bring better to the world through investment in exceptional high school students who are dedicated to leadership, service and action that positively affects others.
Since 1993, Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast has provided scholarships annually to the children of our associates. The Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast Scholarship Program has a committee comprised of external members that review the submissions and select the scholarship winners. Since the program’s inception, we’ve awarded over $1 million to hundreds of students that are part of our extended Coca-Cola family.
The Coca-Cola system has come together to award over $100 million in scholarships through the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and the Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship program. Through the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, The Coca-Cola Company and bottling partners invest in students who are leaders, both academically and in service to others. Since 1989, The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has awarded nearly $74 million dollars in scholarships to more than 5,700 students. Visit the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation to learn more.