Environmental Leader

Nestle Waters North America has released its first corporate citizenship report, The Shape of Corporate Citizenship (PDF). The company reported that it emitted 55,000 tons of GHG emissions in 2007, up from the previous year’s 53,000 tons of GHG emitted. The company is aiming to reduce its carbon intensity by 20 percent across its full value chain by 2013, CSRwire reports.

However, the company reported a small drop in the amount of solid waste produced to 22,100 tons in 2007 from the previous year’s 22,700 tons. In addition, the company recycled 19,000 tons of solid waste in 2007 compared with 16,000 tons recycled in 2006.

The company says it is advancing its goal of doubling current recycling rates to 60 percent or better for PET beverage bottles by 2018 through partnerships, coalition building, consumer education, improved curbside recycling programs and policy initiatives

The company also announced it is developing and producing a “next generation bottle” made entirely from recycled materials or renewable resources by 2020.

The company plans to publish biennial reports to share its results and gather stakeholder feedback.

Earlier this month, the company threatened to sue Miami-Dade County for a radio ad that touts the county’s tap water as cheaper, purer and safer than bottled water.

In July, Nestle Waters bottling plant faced carbon scrutiny.

Last year, the company’s president and CEO, Kim Jeffery, wrote an opinion piece for Hearst Newspapers countering criticism of the bottled water industry.

click to enlarge

click to enlarge