Category: News

Moderator: E. Oyun-Erdene, Public Affairs and Communications Manager of MCS Coca-Cola Company

Panel Guests:
– Toirog foundation Founder Agnuush
– “Zero Waste Club” Founder D.Uuganzaya
– “Playtime” Music Festival’s volunteer work, green sustainability development director Sh.Banzragch
– “Спек материалс” Founder G.Erchissaran
– “Хуванцрын хаягдалгүй дэлхий” campiagn work influencer Ch.Ganjavkhlan
– “Монголын тогтвортой хөгжлийн гүүр” NGO’s President D.Ulziibileg

MODERATOR: HOW DO YOU PERSONALLY PARTICIPATE IN THE FESTIVAL IN A GREEN WAY?

Agnuush

My connection with the Playtime festival dates back to 2002. When I first performed on stage with my band, I was a teenage girl with no understanding of environmentally friendly living or what it meant to be “green.” Starting this year, however, I have been working with the Toirog Foundation and the Playtime team to collect greenhouse gas emissions data. In this sense, I am happy that my participation now is far more meaningful and impactful than it was 20 years ago.

Ch.Ganjavkhlan

In April, while trekking toward the Himalayas, I observed a shared philosophy among climbers from many countries: “Nature should remain exactly as it was before we arrived.” During the long journey reaching 5,000 meters in altitude, we left no trash behind. By minimizing consumption to the absolute essentials, each person’s total load was only 20 kg. Inspired by that experience, I am carrying a trash bag with me at the Playtime grounds to take back all the waste I generate. If everyone takes responsibility for their own waste and leaves no harm to nature, that would be the true realization of a green Playtime.

D.Uuganzaya

There are many small, simple actions that can contribute to making Playtime greener. For my part, I refused single-use cups and plates and brought my own. If plastic containers must be used, they should be sorted without contamination. Throwing unclean plastic into bins contaminates other recyclables, so I carry it with me, rinse it with water, and then place it into the recycling container.

MODERATOR: IN YOUR OPINION, HOW MUCH ATTENTION IS PLAYTIME PAYING TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?

Sh.Banzragch

Reaching today’s level of sustainability at the Playtime Music Festival is the result of 11 years of effort. We believe that our campaigns and initiatives are encouraging young people to adopt positive attitudes and behaviors. Last year, the festival directors traveled to Thailand’s Wonderfruit Festival to learn from their experience. Based on what they learned, this year they realized they could use recyclable materials for the tents and reduce waste themselves.

Ch.Ganjavkhlan

Compared to 10 years ago, today’s organization is very different. In recent years, tangible actions to protect the environment and support sustainability have been implemented — evident in the hundreds of sorting bins, recycled installations, and sanitation facilities. It is also important to acknowledge the volunteers who help users utilize these facilities.

D.Uuganzaya

We have noticed significant improvements in festival organization in recent years. This year, efforts to support sustainability and protect nature are visible in each tent’s activities and setup, which is commendable. At the same time, we believe it is our responsibility to support these initiatives through positive participation.

G.Erchissaran

As a chemist, I tend to rely on data when drawing conclusions. It is encouraging that starting this year, the Playtime festival is producing reports and statistics on its sustainability efforts. By quantifying greenhouse gas emissions, it becomes possible to reduce them further in the future. I am eagerly awaiting the final report and plan to compare it with next year’s results.

MODERATOR: HOW CAN PLAYTIME BECOME EVEN GREENER IN THE FUTURE?

Agnuush

The fashion industry accounts for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, 30% of ocean pollution, and ranks second in energy consumption worldwide. Therefore, festival participants are encouraged to buy second-hand clothing or repair what they already own to protect the environment at zero cost. This year, recycled cups from Spain were introduced in Mongolia, and I personally use them daily. Other young people should also bring their own cups, participate in the festival in an eco-friendly way without generating waste, and adopt this habit in everyday life.

D.Ulziibileg

One major step toward responsible consumption is distinguishing between real needs and desires. Around 40–80% of purchases are desire-driven and become unnecessary after only a few days. Yet producing these items consumes large amounts of water, energy, and transportation resources, contributing to environmental pollution. Therefore, before making a purchase, it is important to carefully consider whether there is a genuine need. It would also be beneficial to communicate the festival’s green goals and initiatives through social media so that attendees can prepare in advance.

G.Erchissaran

There is also a principle known as the 4Rs of environmentally friendly living: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Research shows that 99% of purchased items become waste within two seconds to six months. Therefore, refuse unnecessary purchases. Since cities often lack sufficient sorting bins, people are not accustomed to separating waste daily. Although sorting waste at the festival requires effort, we should respect those working to keep the environment clean by doing so. The biggest contributors to festival carbon emissions are energy and transportation. From next year, increasing the use of renewable energy should be encouraged. To reduce transportation emissions, attendees should consider using buses instead of private vehicles. Expanding public transportation capacity will ensure no one is left behind.

Sh.Banzragch

Among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, this year’s focus has been on waste sorting, while future plans include addressing water conservation and other goals. Participants are encouraged to bring their own cups, spoons, and forks — reducing single-use consumption and benefiting personal health.

D.Uuganzaya

Changing individual attitudes is not easy, but people often change by following others. If organizers create an eco-friendly atmosphere and participating organizations reflect environmental values in their presence, young people will naturally follow and adapt to that environment.

“MCS Coca-Cola” Company welcomed and met with the athletes who will participate in the “Berlin 2023” Special Olympics Summer Games.

MCS Coca-Cola Company is a consistent supporter and reliable partner of the Special Olympics, which aims to promote health and physical development among youth with intellectual disabilities through sports. Globally, The Coca-Cola Company has supported the International Special Olympics movement for more than 50 years.

At this year’s Games, 44 athletes from Mongolia are competing in nine sports disciplines. The company is providing support with sports apparel and gear, as well as water and beverages for use during their training.

Held once every four years, the Games will take place in Berlin, the capital of Germany, from June 17–25.

We wish the very best of success to ALL ATHLETES representing Mongolia!

Within the framework of the “Wealth Creator – Business Tour” organized under the Food Revolution movement initiated by the President of Mongolia, the President’s Advisor on Industrial and Service Policy Ch. Davaabayar, Deputy Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry M. Gankhuleg, and more than 50 national producers visited and learned about the operations of MCS Coca-Cola Company.

We introduced to national producers not only the food hygiene and safety quality standards followed by the global Coca-Cola Company, but also the work we implement in the areas of environment, social responsibility, and governance.

In addition, they visited our finished product warehouse and production processes, gaining experience and insights.

MCS Coca-Cola LLC was ranked 16th among Mongolia’s TOP-100 enterprises for 2022 after contributing MNT 69.8 billion in taxes to the state budget and supporting the country’s economic growth and development.

The ranking, organized for the 22nd year, has included the company consistently since 2015. Today, the company produces and distributes 160 products across 21 brands, delivering global brands to Mongolian consumers through a nationwide network of more than 17,000 partners.

Key achievements from the past year:

• Construction of the VIO MILLENIA plant in Selenge province, with an investment of USD 3.5 million
• Major investments to improve production efficiency and product quality, bringing the total investment to MNT 29 billion
• Domestic procurement reaching MNT 182 billion

As part of its comprehensive environmentally responsible business program, the company achieved the following last year:

• Reused 180,000 liters of water by treating it and using it for road cleaning and green area irrigation,
• Collected and recycled plastic equivalent to 61% of the plastic it sold,
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 4,800 tons through the use of an eco-friendly, smokeless steam boiler.

Through these initiatives, MCS Coca-Cola continues to contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development.

With the slogan “Global Brands, Locally Made,” MCS Coca-Cola has been awarded “Best Taxpayer Organization” by the Ministry of Finance and the General Department of Taxation after paying MNT 38.9 billion in taxes, making a significant contribution to Mongolia’s socio-economic development.

In 2022, MCS Coca-Cola:

• Created 165 new jobs and expanded to more than 1,050 employees
• Started the construction of the VIO MILLENIA plant in Selenge province with an investment of USD 3.5 million, laying the foundation for export to international markets
• Invested MNT 1 billion to upgrade sterilization equipment for the HTST hot filling line, improving production efficiency and product quality, with total investments reaching MNT 29 billion
• Continued supporting national manufacturers and SMEs, purchasing MNT 182 billion worth of domestic products and services in 2022.

Additionally:

• A new sparkling variety of Millenia natural mineral water
• “Starlight No Sugar Limited-Edition” beverage for young consumers
• 300 ml glass bottle Coca-Cola were newly introduced to consumers.

As part of its sustainable development policy, the company has also increased low-calorie beverage options and reduced sugar levels in 9 out of 46 flavors.

• 180,000 liters of water used in the production process were treated and reused for road cleaning and green area irrigation
• Collected and recycled plastic equivalent to 61% of the total plastic sold
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 4,800 tons through the use of an environmentally friendly smokeless steam boiler.

Every year, the Best Taxpayers are selected by classifying companies into four segments—large, medium, small, and micro—based on the amount of taxes paid to the state budget and evaluated through a Business Scoring system. For MCS Coca-Cola, by delivering 160 products across 21 brands of water, beverages, tea, and juice that meet global standards to consumers across Mongolia through more than 17,000 partners, the company has been recognized with an “A” Business Scoring rating in the Large Segment.

Since starting its operations in 2001, MCS Coca-Cola has repeatedly been recognized as a Reliable Taxpayer and Best Taxpayer Organization.

Steam Boiler Reduces Approximately 4,800 Tons of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Annually

MCS Coca-Cola LLC, in collaboration with MCS International LLC, commissioned a smokeless steam boiler that completely replaces raw coal in 2021. This environmentally friendly boiler is part of the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) between the Governments of Mongolia and Japan. Today, a delegation led by Shinako Tsuchiya, Member of Japan’s House of Representatives, visited the facility to learn about the project and its operations.

Within the framework of the Joint Crediting Mechanism:

• Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced
• Environmentally friendly technologies and services are introduced
• Projects that are accurately measured, reported, and verified are granted credits and registered as JCM model projects

As part of their commitment to supporting sustainable development, MCS Coca-Cola LLC and MCS International LLC jointly invested USD 4.5 million to build the smokeless steam boiler, contributing to efforts to reduce air pollution and leave a balanced ecological environment for future generations. As a result of this project, the facility reduces approximately 4,783 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. The plant has also been recognized as a successful JCM model project and received 50% financial support.

Shinako Tsuchiya, Member of Japan’s House of Representatives, stated:

“I previously served as Vice Minister of the Environment, and I am pleased to personally witness how successfully this program funded by our government has been implemented. For Japan, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment is not only the responsibility of private sector organizations but also of every citizen. I am glad to see that all stakeholders are making efforts toward this goal.”

Previously, when MCS Coca-Cola LLC used coal-fired boilers, the facility consumed around 7,000 tons of raw coal annually. Today, the old facility where the coal boiler was located has been renovated and transformed into employee amenities including a cafeteria, sports hall, fitness room, and karaoke room.

Additional Information

While implementing the project together with MCS International LLC, the company installed eight water-heating boilers from Japan’s NTEC company and four gas-fired steam boilers from South Korea’s DAEYEOL company.

Although Mongolia contributes only 0.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the effects of climate change are progressing 2.5 times faster than the global average in the country, placing Mongolia among the nations most vulnerable to climate change.

This project contributes meaningfully to Mongolia’s national target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 22% by 2030.

In order to comply with government regulations and fulfill its corporate social responsibility, the company chose Japanese and Korean liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) boilers despite their higher cost, considering their environmental safety, reliability, and minimal negative environmental impact.

The boiler facility has become a benchmark project in Mongolia, especially for factories of similar size and capacity seeking to modernize their own boiler systems. As the first food manufacturing plant in Mongolia to operate such an environmentally friendly boiler facility, it serves as a pioneering example for the industry.

Compared to coal-fired boilers, the emissions from this system do not contain harmful substances such as fine particulate matter, sulfur oxides, or carbon dioxide typically associated with coal combustion, which is why the system can be considered “Emission-free.”

The selected boilers and equipment utilize modern scientific and technological advancements and operate with fully automated safety control systems.