This month, Nestlé Waters celebrated World Environment Day by creating greater awareness of the company’s actions locally to care for the environment. Below are some exciting examples of their nature-based solutions to help tackle water risks, climate change, and the loss of biodiversity in line with Nestlé’s ambition to become Net Zero by 2025.
I) Princes Gate: Enhancing biodiversity and protecting wildlife
At the Pembrokeshire site where Nestlé Waters bottles PRINCES GATE and NESTLÉ PURE LIFE waters, the company continues to support local biodiversity through a variety of solutions.
- Reverting the on-site field back to a natural meadow:
- Planted with 50+ types of grasses, hedges, and wildflowers to provide pollen for pollinators
- 3 beehives placed with 126 lbs. of honey produced in 2022
- Planting 500 saplings of native trees planned
- Caring for the on-site pond:
- Cleared out algae and introduced locally sourced water lilies
- Fountain installed to increase the oxygen levels in the water
- 45 species of plants recorded in 2022 including bogbean, spike-rush, and reed
- An abundance of fauna present (beetles, dragonflies, frogs, squirrels, etc.)
- Duck houses introduced as a safe haven for ducks and moorhens
II) Derbyshire: Caring for biodiversity at Cowdale and Lightwood sites
In Derbyshire, where Nestlé Waters bottles BUXTON and NESTLÉ PURE LIFE waters, Nestlé Waters together with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust developed 10-year management plans for the two sites where the water sources are located. Approximately 190 acres of land is being regenerated and protected as a part of Nestlé Waters’ water stewardship strategy.
- The former Lightwood Reservoir site:
- Protecting the land’s natural resources
- Enhancing woodland, maintaining ponds and grassland
- Creating healthy ecosystems where wildlife can thrive
- Connecting people with nature for learning and inspiration
- The former Cowdale Quarry site:
- Regeneration back to a meadow
- Restoring existing habitats and creating new ones
- Providing homes for common and rare species of birds, mammals, and plants
- Chemical-free land care practices, including an innovative method for removing non-native and invasive Japanese Knotweed
III) Derbyshire: Waterswallows Nature Reserve
In 2021, Nestlé Waters created a nature reserve surrounding their water bottling site in Buxton to transform a species-poor pasture to an area flourishing with flora and fauna:
- Over 3 hectares of meadow sown with native wildflowers
- 200+ mature trees planted
- Maintaining wetland areas, introducing bee banks and BUG hotels
- Habitats for many native species, including birds and insects such as red-tailed bumblebees, peacock butterflies, emperor dragonflies, and six spot burnets
IV) Derbyshire: Restoring natural habitat of the River Ecclesbourne
Opening 28 km of the river and its tributaries to at least 8 native fish species, including vulnerable Atlantic Salmon, allowing it to return to parts of Derbyshire after 100+ years of absence:
