The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), in conjunction with the soft drinks industry, trade associations and WRAP, has launched Soft Drinks Sustainability Roadmap (SDSR).
The initiative was launched by Food Minister David Heath on 1 July 2013.
The SDSR provides a framework to reduce the 4.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gases a year produced by the soft drinks industry.
The plan includes the entire soft drinks production process, from sourcing ingredients to recycling packaging.
Recommendations include reducing the amount of water used in manufacturing to help limit consumption and save money; improving refrigeration to boost energy efficiency; using low carbon fertilizer to reduce the footprint of fruit-based soft drinks by as much as 20%.
It also includes improving co-operation between manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and waste management companies to improve recyclability and recycling of packaging by consumers.
Around 50% of major soft drinks producers or suppliers including, Coca-Cola Enterprises, PepsiCo and Britvic, have already joined the initiative. Another 25% are expected to sign up by the end of 2013.
Heath said: "Our voluntary agreement is about ensuring every step of the production process is efficient, saves energy and reduces waste."
British Soft Drinks Association director general Gavin Partington said: "We are pleased that companies have already signed up to support the Roadmap process, and we look forward to working together to minimise the environmental impact of the sector."
