How do you manage the impact of water bottling on the environment?

Nestlé strives to ensure that all the water we use is replenished naturally. To minimize our impact on the environment, we’re investing in new technologies at our water bottling factories. 

For example, our facility in Buxton, UK uses 100% renewable energy. Our factory in Henniez, Switzerland uses agricultural biogas plant to help meet its power needs. 

Caring for water forms part of Nestlé’s wider ambition to strive for zero environmental impact in our operations. We’re always exploring new ways to reduce and, where possible, reuse water. 

In June 2021, we announced that we will advance the regeneration of the water cycle to help create a positive water impact everywhere our waters business operates by 2025. We will implement more than 100 projects for our 48 waters sites by 2025 and invest CHF 120 million to assist the implementation of these projects. As of 2025 onwards, our approach will help nature retain more water than our waters business uses in its operations. 

We also work to make water freely available to people living near our water factories. 

In Thailand, Nestlé takes care of water resources sustainably both in its factories and surrounding communities. Nestlé’s waters business has pledged to become ‘net water positive’ from 2025 onwards. This means that at each site, Nestlé will replenish more water than it uses. Nestlé’s two water bottling factories are the only ones in Thailand certified by the Alliance for Water Stewardship, a globally applicable framework for sustainable water management within a specific catchment area. It recognizes companies that take concrete actions to help protect shared water resources and collaborate with local communities. 

With an intention to preserve water resources and conserving environment, since 2015 we have run the Youth Water Guardian program in Ayutthaya province near our production facility with the goal to educate residents and students about how to protect and restore the water quality of the Kanomchin canal. This has made a positive impact on the lives of people in the area. A survey in collaboration with Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University found improved water quality as a result of this effort. 

Building on the success of Nestlé’s existing project in Ayutthaya, Nestlé will implement a new project involving the Nong Thung Thong wetlands in Surat Thani to promote water conservation among the schools and communities around the wetlands along the Tapi River, where a Nestlé Waters Factory operates.