Clean-Up-Day 2025: Together for a Cleaner Environment

Taking action outdoors: Around 40 employees from the Coca-Cola System Switzerland participated to the annual Clean-Up-Day mid-September. The result: less litter in nature, stronger team spirit, and renewed energy among employees for even more sustainability.

On International Clean-Up-Day, Friday, September 19, the Coca-Cola production site in Wangen-Brüttisellen was bustling with activity. In partnership with the local municipality, around 40 employees from Coca-Cola HBC and Coca-Cola Switzerland set out—equipped with gloves, tongs, and plenty of enthusiasm. Following six different routes around Wangen and Brüttisellen, they collected everything that didn’t belong in nature, from cans to cigarette butts. 

Coca-Cola System employees cleaned paths and meadows in Brüttisellen, while students took care of the Wangen community. “Seeing our teams and other volunteers spread out in all directions and collect litter together is a moving moment,” says Johannes Lehken, Director Corporate Affairs & Sustainability at Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland. “Clean-Up-Day is an important initiative for us as an employer and as a company. It’s a cherished tradition that stands for sustainability and a great opportunity for employees to connect across different departments,” Lehken adds.

For Community and Sustainability

The day began with a shared breakfast. Representatives from the Brüttisellen municipality, the Interest Group for a Clean Environment (IGSU)—the organizer of the event in Switzerland—and the management of Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland gave brief, informative talks. Then it was time for everyone to roll up their sleeves and head out into nature.

The results speak for themselves: Around 150 to 200 kilograms of waste were collected in the community that day. Across Switzerland, about 750 actions took place with around 65,000 participants—a visible sign of everyone’s commitment and a small but important contribution to a cleaner environment.

For Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland employees, Clean-Up-Day is more than just a one-off event. “We only have one Planet, and we must protect it. I want to do my part – not just today, but also in my daily work and private life” says Mert Can Yildirim, Supply Chain Planner at Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland. His colleague Saskia Schranzhofer, Sales Support Specialist at HBC Switzerland, adds: “I think it’s fantastic that employees can take part in Clean-Up Day. It really reinforces our company’s commitment to sustainability. And who knows—maybe we’ll inspire other companies to follow our lead!.”

With Courage and Ambition for Local and Sustainable Production

The Clean-Up-Day initiative began in 2008 in Estonia, when 50,000 people cleaned up the entire country in just five hours. Their action inspired the world, and Clean-Up-Day became a global movement. In Switzerland, Clean-Up Day is coordinated by the Interest Group for a Clean Environment (IGSU) and was held for the 13th time this year.

Coca-Cola’s collaboration with IGSU, Switzerland’s center of expertise against littering, has existed for many years. Teams from the Coca-Cola System Switzerland have participated in Clean-Up-Day from the very beginning. Since 2023, Coca-Cola Switzerland has been an official partner of IGSU, providing financial support for awareness-raising efforts. IGSU Managing Director Nora Steimer says: “Companies like Coca-Cola Switzerland play a key role in supporting Clean-Up Day. Their commitment helps increase the initiative’s visibility and impact. Because Clean-Up Day is about more than just collecting litter—it’s about raising awareness. To truly prevent littering, we need a shift in mindset across society”.

Coca-Cola HBC pursues an ambitious sustainability strategy. The current 2024 Sustainability Report shows which goals have already been achieved and what the next steps are. “What many people don’t know: Around 80% of the products sold in Switzerland are produced locally by Coca-Cola HBC in Dietlikon or Vals. We source 95% of our ingredients from Swiss suppliers. Through our commitment on Clean-Up-Day, we can combine our localness with our dedication to sustainability—a win-win situation,” summarizes Johannes Lehken.