Nestlé has reduced 44 percent of its waste per ton of product since 2010 in the US, and five factory locations reached zero waste to landfill status by the end of 2013, according to the company’s new sustainability report.The Creating Shared Value (CSV) report is the company’s first expanded effort to highlight U.S.-specific milestones and achievements tied to Nestlé’s global sustainability principles and commitments. The report documents the food giant’s nutritional, social and environmental progress from the past year, as well as provides updates on the company’s US progress toward its global commitments.
Nestlé has reduced 44 percent of its waste per ton of product since 2010 in the US, and five factory locations reached zero waste to landfill status by the end of 2013, according to the company’s new sustainability report.
The Creating Shared Value (CSV) report is the company’s first expanded effort to highlight U.S.-specific milestones and achievements tied to Nestlé’s global sustainability principles and commitments. The report documents the food giant’s nutritional, social and environmental progress from the past year, as well as provides updates on the company’s US progress toward its global commitments.
Other notable environmental impact updates include saving more than 3.3 billion pounds of plastic since 2003 by reducing the plastic content of its PET ½-liter water bottles by 60 percent. Nestlé is already on its way to achieving zero waste in Europe by 2020.
On the supply chain front, last year Nestlé says it achieved its goal of sourcing 100 percent Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)-certified palm oil. The company also implemented Responsible Sourcing Guidelines for seafood that align with its global Responsible Sourcing Guidelines, working with experts to track suppliers and contribute to healthier ecosystems. In 2013, Nestlé also committed to sourcing 100 percent certified cocoa beans for its Crunch Bars.
Addressing growing health concerns in the US, Nestlé rolled out new portion guidance tools and launched an educational campaign, Balance Your Plate, to help consumers build nutritious and convenient meals that meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The company also reduced sodium in many of its most popular brands, such as Stouffer’s® and DiGiorno®, and committed to further reduce sodium content by 10 percent in products that do not meet the Nestlé Nutritional Foundation criteria by the end of 2016.
96 percent of Nestlé’s children’s products now meet the Nestlé Nutritional Foundation’s criteria for lower sugar, and by the end of 2014, 100 percent of children’s products will meet these criteria, the company says. Nestlé has also committed to reaching zero food and beverage products with trans fat originating from PHOs used as functional ingredients by 2016.
Published Jul 6, 2014 1pm EDT / 10am PDT / 6pm BST / 7pm CEST
Managing Director, Sustainability & Social Impact
Deutsche Bank
Mike Hower is a sustainability communicator and connector committed to helping purpose-driven businesses and people unlock their full potential for positive impact. As founder and principal consultant at Hower Impact, he works with companies to translate sustainability strategy into stories that inform, engage and inspire investors, customers, employees, regulators and other stakeholders in the service of social, environmental and business goals. Through his Impact Hired initiative, he works to connect and engage corporate sustainability professionals at all stages of their careers.
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