The UK food and drink industry has cut its water usage by 5.6 per cent since 2007 – putting it on track, it said, to meet its pledge to improve water efficiency by 20 per cent by 2020.
The 42
food and drink companies that have signed up to the pledge have managed to save two million cubic metres of
water since 2007, when the baseline was set, a report out today said. This reduction is equal to around 800 Olympic-sized swimming pools and has been achieved despite an increase in
production.
The figures were published today by the Federation House Commitment (FHC), an initiative set up by the food and drink industry to improve its water
efficiency. In its annual report, it said water use in the sector (excluding that embedded in products) stood at 34,500,091 m3 in 2009, compared to 36,559,054 m3 in 2007 – a 5.6 per cent reduction and an eight per cent increase on 2008, when just a 4.2 per cent reduction was achieved. The efficiency savings are all the more impressive because they come despite an equivalent (4.2 per cent) increase in production by the signatory companies involved.
Water is becoming a scarce resource and the
food and drink sector is a major water user both from direct abstraction and from the public water supply. It is estimated that it is responsible for 10 per cent of the industrial use of public sector water supply alone.
"In many parts of the UK there is less water available per person than there is in some Mediterranean countries. We must all take some responsibility for changing things and these signatories are leading the way," said Liz Goodwin, ceo of WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme), which is working with the Food and Drink Federation to help the industry reduce its water use.
"The progress made over the last few years suggests that the sector is on target to help contribute to a 20 per cent reduction in processing water by 2020."
Business sense
Reducing water use makes strong business sense for the food and drink industry, according to the FHC. A company can save around 30 per cent on its water and effluent bills by putting simple or relatively low cost measures in place. It also demonstrates leadership, can help a company gain competitive advantage and make it easier to adapt to climate change.
The 42 companies that have made a public commitment so far to reduce their water use are drawn mainly from the soft drinks, processed foods, frozen foods and meat and dairy sectors. Well know brands that have signed up to the pledge include United Biscuits, Walkers, Mars UK and Dairy Crest. In 2009, seven new companies joined, including Framptons and Pataks.
Like this story? Please subscribe
to our free weekly e-newsletter at the top of the page for more content
like this.
Related news:
Resource efficiency news
Sustainable food news
Related links:
www.fhc2020.co.uk/fhc/cms/
