BUXTON, UK – The home of Buxton water is the first site in the UK to achieve the prestigious Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard certification with platinum status. The pioneering water stewardship work of the Nestlé Waters facility in Buxton, Derbyshire, and its engagement with the local community, has seen it awarded the international recognition for outstanding commitment to responsible water policies and initiatives.
The AWS Standard is the international accredited standard for measuring responsible water stewardship across social, cultural, environmental, and economic criteria. A platinum rating is the highest level of certification available.
To gain the accreditation, a team from across Nestlé Waters has used those strong community relationships to initiate projects across the Peak District designed to care for water use and improve water efficiency, as well protecting the sustainability of the water balance in the local area.
Joint work with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to manage land at the former Lightwood Reservoir site is just one example of these efforts. The site, owned by Nestlé Waters since 2016, is an important area for both nature and the local community. The trust has agreed to manage the land, using its expertise to protect and improve biodiversity across a variety of habitats.
Grant McKenzie, Managing Director for Nestlé Waters UK, said: “We know how important it is that we protect the natural landscape which gives our water its unique characteristics and it is our responsibility to preserve the land’s richness, diversity and vitality in this beautiful part of the world.
“The certification recognises the efforts we have led in the community where we live and work, to ensure high quality and sustainable water stewardship, so the natural sources are protected for everyone.”
Hayley Lloyd House, Head of Sustainability for Nestlé Waters UK said: “We are extremely proud to have our passion and hard work recognised with the highest level of certification possible.
“Working to achieve this has transformed our thinking and focus on water beyond our factory site. Some of the most valuable contributions have come from discussions with our community members about the current and future shared water challenges affecting the Peak District.
“Developing a deeper understanding of these challenges provided new opportunities to share our knowledge and expertise to benefit the whole area now and for many years to come.
“I hope this recognition of our efforts will act as a catalyst for more local, collective action united behind a simple, common purpose: to care for water. Action is needed now more than ever for the future survival of our planet and water is vital for that”.
Adrian Sym, Chief Executive Officer of Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) said: “Buxton is the first brand in the UK whose production site has been certified to the AWS Standard at platinum level, meaning they have shown the highest level of water stewardship performance. Buxton and Nestlé Waters’ leadership serves as a model to other companies on the power of collective action.”
With water scarcity being one of the world’s biggest challenges, The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 focuses on better water management as key to climate change and all businesses have a role to play in this. As the world’s largest food producer, Nestlé has committed to taking action to address water sustainability across its business:
In 2018, Nestlé launched its comprehensive ‘Caring for Water’ programme to address and improve water sustainability in its Agricultural supply chains, Communities, Factories and Watersheds.
By 2025 we will protect watersheds and regenerate the water cycle everywhere we operate, to reach net positive water impact.
Nestlé is a founder member of the Alliance for Water Stewardship collaboration and has certified 32 of its factories worldwide to the AWS Standard to date and with a commitment to certify of all Nestlé Waters sites by 2025.
In the period 2010-2019, Nestlé has reduced its direct water withdrawals globally by 31%, with a 37% reduction in the nutrition and healthcare category.
On the wider issue of sustainability, Nestlé set out a detailed and time-bound plan to half greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and be net zero by 2050.
