SWITZERLAND – Nestlé Waters has unveiled a new plan to achieve water positive impact by 2025 in an effort to improve the sustainability profile of its water brands and prevent unending hostility towards its water bottling operations.
Under the new plan, Nestlé Waters has committed to collaborate with partners to identify and support local solutions that will help regenerate the ecosystems in the areas around each of Nestlé Waters’ 48 sites.
As of 2025, Nestlé hopes that its new activities will help nature retain more water than the business uses in its operations, giving it the highly coveted water positive impact rating.
The new initiative builds on the company’s 2017 commitment to certify all of its Waters sites by the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) by 2025.
To make the project a success, the company has said it will invest CHF 120 million (USD 130 million) to assist the implementation of the more than 100 projects.
Nestlé Waters for instance plans to start implementing land conservation (protecting land from development) and natural flood management interventions in Derbyshire, UK.
The company will also embark on river restoration and renaturation projects in Vosges, France and support for farmers to use drip irrigation in Sheikhupura, Pakistan
As part of the water regeneration efforts, Nestlé Waters also plans to deliver water treatment, filtration and pipeline infrastructure for the municipal water supply in Benha, Egypt.
Nestlé says its work will be tailored to individual locations, needs and issues and will take a broader approach, going beyond its own operations.
New Middle Eastern-inspired food brand
Meanwhile, Nestlé is expanding its portfolio with the introduction of Mezeast, a new food brand inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine.
The Mezeast range features 11 products, including meal kits, seasoning mix sachets, squeezy sauces, spreads and pastes and has been designed to bring together “the best tastes and flavours of the Middle East”.
The range has reportedly been created by Middle Eastern chefs and features ingredients that are sourced from the region, such as pomegranate, tahini and coriander.
“This unique cuisine is rooted in the belief that a meal is much more than just food; it is a special moment of togetherness and meaningful connections,” Honza Dusanek, managing director for food and dairy at Nestlé UK and Ireland.
The launch of Mezeast follows the unveiling of Wunda, Nestlé’s new pea-based milk alternative brand.
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