Why are Coke drinkers smiling? Vending machines to be more eco-friendly

Coca-Cola (KO) is apparently getting into the Copenhagen spirit. As next week's United Nations summit on climate change approaches, the world's largest soft drink company -- and its bottling partners -- announced that 100% of their new vending machines and coolers will be hydrofluorocarbon-free (HFC-free) by 2015. When completed, this initiative to reduce global carbon emissions would be the same as taking 11 million cars off the road for a single year.

Coke made the announcement on Dec. 3 in conjunction with the environmental organization Greenpeace. "Greenpeace has played a critical role in raising our awareness about the need for natural refrigeration," says Muhtar Kent, Coca-Cola's chairman and CEO. "Our announcement today demonstrates a commitment to use our influence in the marketplace to drive innovation and help shape a low-carbon future."