Nestlé Waters UK switches to 100% renewable electricity

Bottled water producer Nestlé Waters will now source 100% of its electricity from renewable energy sources at its UK bottling plant in Buxton as part of the group's commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its global operations.


The Buxton factory will also have approximately 30% of its power sourced from a local hydroelectric company, Derwent Hydroelectric Power, meaning customers will now be supplied bottled water that is powered by water.

Since opening in 2013, the Buxton bottling plant has proven to be a highly innovative and resourceful facility, achieving a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating; reaching zero waste to landfill, and reducing the amount of plastic used in packaging by an average of 25% across the Nestlé Waters range of drinks.

Nestlé Waters country business manager Federico Sarzi Braga said: “At Nestlé Waters, we are committed to creating shared value – that is value for both our shareholders and society over the long term. This approach is built in to our commitment to environmental sustainability. Just as each person is impacted by their environment, our business also relies on a healthy, sustainable natural environment to help us continue to supply our products which are natural mineral and spring waters.

“We have invested heavily in making our operations as sustainable as possible and sourcing our electricity exclusively from sustainable energy sources is another milestone on this journey. We are also proud to be working with and supporting local businesses by choosing to partner with a local hydroelectricity firm on this project.”

Healthy Living

The move to 100% renewable electricity from Nestlé’s bottled water division strengthens a sustainability strategy which is increasingly being placed at the heart of the group’s business model.

In the annual Nestlé in Society report, released last month, Nestlé indicated a desire to take ‘sustainable business’ to the next level, after achieving a 42% carbon reduction and 41% water consumption reduction per tonne of product produced against a 2005 baseline. Moreover, the sustainability report revealed that eighty-four international ‘Healthy Living’ programmes were launched by Nestlé last year, all with the aim of promoting a better diet and exercise among children.

In October 2015, the nutrition behemoth switched on the largest solar panel installation in the North East at its Fruit Pastille-producing Fawdon factory in Newcastle upon Tyne, which will see the amount of CO2 it produces cut by 225,000kg.

Meanwhile, Nestlé Professional UK & Ireland recently became the first major confectionary company in the hospitality and foodservice sector to source 100% certified sustainable cocoa for its chocolate and biscuits.

Video: Nestlé – water powering water

George Ogleby

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