Proven buoyancy
– I was most impressed by its 33% reduction in water usage since 2000 despite a 63% increase in production volume. That’s an eye watering 59% drop in the amount withdrawn per tonne of product in nine years.
– No wonder Nestlé was ranked in the top three food and drink companies worldwide for sustainability last week.
– I also noted that Nestlé Pure Life is now the biggest water brand in the world, achieving 14% organic growth in 2009.
Bubbling under
There were good examples of environmental initiatives making a big impact in particular countries:
– 60,000 fewer truck loads saving 12 million litres of fuel in France and Belgium by using trains instead;
– 356,000 million tonnes of emissions avoided by a new Eco-Shape water bottle in the United States (though I rather think the word million was left in by mistake).
Below the surface
More disappointingly:
– Water had the lowest performance of any Nestlé division in terms of both growth and margin.
– While I appreciated much of the information provided and its presentation, I would also have welcomed more on the lightweighting and recycling of packaging.
Fortunately, I don’t see Nestlé taking a raincheck in dealing with water issues. Nor shall I.
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