Santo Domingo. The Saona Sustainable Paradise project continues to garner support from local businesses, which are joining forces to transform the island into a model of sustainability, improving the living conditions of residents in the Mano Juan community while also promoting sustainable tourism.
On this occasion, the Coca-Cola System, comprised of The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partner in the country, Bepensa Dominicana, signed a collaboration agreement with the 3Rs Sustainability Foundation to join the Saona Paraíso Sostenible initiative. This ambitious project includes the implementation of a waste management system and the adoption of sustainable practices that benefit both residents and visitors.
This adhesion to the agreement was formalized in a ceremony held at the Bepensa Dominicana facilities, attended by Federico Franco, deputy minister of protected areas and biodiversity of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, and environmentalist Ginny Heinsen, president of the 3Rs Sustainability Foundation.
The Coca-Cola System reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development and environmental preservation by providing seed capital to support crucial activities such as waste management, community training, and the creation of essential infrastructure on the island.
“For us, sustainability is a journey we must undertake together, with the community and the environment at the heart of our efforts. This agreement represents an important step toward our global vision of a World Without Waste and the sustainable development of the communities we serve,” said Marlen Gomez, Senior Manager of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability for the Caribbean at The Coca-Cola Company.
For his part, Juan Amell, Director of Corporate Affairs at Bepensa Dominicana, added: "We are very excited to be part of this great alliance, a unique opportunity to demonstrate how multi-sector collaboration can generate a tangible positive impact, achieving a more sustainable future and improving the quality of life of our communities."
The 3Rs Sustainability Foundation is leading this project with the goal of establishing Saona Island as a benchmark in environmental sustainability, supported by a network of partnerships with public and private entities.
With the participation of the Coca-Cola System and other participating organizations, this project promises to be a model of sustainability and collaboration throughout the region.
