Cadbury Reduces Water Consumption by 17 Percent

To coincide with World Water Day, Cadbury has announced a 17-percent reduction in water consumption since 2006 by increasing its efficiency in production, recovery, harvesting and recycling water. The company reported that by 2008 it met its target of implementing water reduction programs at 100 percent of water scarce sites as part of its Purple Goes Green initiative, launched in 2007.

Other key targets under Cadbury’s environmental initiative include a 50 percent reduction in its absolute carbon emissions, a ten percent reduction in standard product packaging, and a 25 percent target for seasonal and gift packaging.

The company reported that it has already reduced carbon emissions by three percent compared to 2006 and targets a 10 percent reduction by 2010. As for packaging initiatives, the Cadbury Eco Eggs, launched in 2008, reduce plastic content by 78 percent and use 65 percent less cardboard than a standard egg. In addition, a new display case launched in 2008 uses 50 percent less cardboard.

Cadbury also is working with local communities in areas of water scarcity to give more water back to the watershed than is taken out. To achieve this, plants are implementing a variety of water-saving methods including water recovery, harvesting, and recycling.

For example, Cadbury’s plant in Bangalore, India, harvests, cleans and filters rainwater for recharging the aquifer, providing assistance for 40 percent of the population dependant on groundwater. The storm water from the roof of the factory is collected and is re-used directly into cooling towers and boilers. The Bangalore factory aims for zero water discharge.

Other environmental initiatives include its Fairtrade certification for Cadbury Diary Milk and partnership with Carbon Trust to reduce carbon emissions.

Other food companies including Birds Eye Iglo, Nestle UK, Premier Foods, United Biscuits and Kellogg are doing their part to reduce their water consumption.