COCA-COLA: EFFECTIVE GREEN CLEANING PRODUCTS?

PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Since its introduced at Jacobs
Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia in 1886,
Coca-Cola is everywhere. What once began
as a health drink, is now one of the most
recognized brands in the world. Today it is
found in over 200 countries. In fact globally,
the average person consumes a Coke
product every four days (Coca-Cola
currently has a product portfolio of more
than 3,500 beverages under 500 different
brands).
There are many products that are
hyped as alternatives to traditional products
for natural green home cleaning. The
question that is often floating around is
Does it works? and if it does, How does it
work? Many flaunt the benefits of cleaning
with Coca-Cola or other colas.
INTRODUCTION
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft
drink sold in stores, restaurants,
and vending machines throughout the
world. It is produced by The Coca-Cola
Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often
referred to simply as Coke (a registered
trademark of The Coca-Cola Company in
the United States since March 27, 1944).
Originally intended as a patent
medicine when it was invented in the late
19th century by John Pemberton, Coca-
Cola was bought out by businessman Asa
Griggs Candler, whose marketing tactics led
Coke to its dominance of the world soft-
drink market throughout the 20th century.
The company produces concentrate,
which is then sold to licensed Coca-Cola
bottlers throughout the world. The bottlers,
who hold territorially exclusive contracts
with the company, produce finished product
in cans and bottles from the concentrate in
combination with filtered water and
sweeteners. The bottlers then sell, distribute
and merchandise Coca-Cola to retail stores
and vending machines. The Coca-Cola
Company also sells concentrate for soda
fountains to major restaurants and food
service distributors. In this research, can
Coca-Colas, or any other colas can be a
green cleaning material?
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The main problem is Does it work?
And if it does, How does it work? We all
know that Coca-Cola is a beverage but it
also has some unique characteristics, like
cleaning.
The sub problem is Is it effective?
Colas are basically carbonated syrup. They
are sticky, no matter how you use it. It can
also corrode metal, and can be very
expensive.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
For the science of cleaning, colas
also have benefits that contribute the ability
to be a green cleaning material. They have
low pH level (acidic), can dissolve metal
oxides and remove tarnish from copper,
brass and other metal alloys. Citric acid is
known to remove stains (which colas have),
phosphoric acid is known to remove rust,
and carbonic acid dissolves limestone and
may break down some of the mineral build-
up.
SCOPE AND LIMITATION
As for the notion that the acid
content of cola drinks makes them useful for
various household cleaning purposes such
as scrubbing toilets and removing grease
from clothes, lets just say there are plenty
products that are still more effective, less
costly and decidedly less sticky alternatives
available. In fact, Coca-Cola states We
dont make any claims relating to other
uses. Instead, we recommend using
products specifically designed for cleaning
or rust removal. Green Cleaning Products
can provide those application specific
products.

*Barroso *Quiros
*Salvacion *Santos