This Earth Day, millions of Americans were asked to think about their environmental impact and what they can individually do to protect and improve our planet. On the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Nestle in the United States proudly reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable business practices.
Nestle in the United States consists of five operating companies: Nestle USA, Nestle Waters North America, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, Nestle Nutrition and Nestle Professional, which together operate in 47 states and employ more than 44,000 people.
"Many people are surprised to learn that Nestle makes more than chocolate," said Heidi Paul, vice president for corporate affairs, Nestle Waters North America. "We're actually one of the world's leading health, wellness and nutrition companies and make some of the best-known brands and products people see every day."
Nestle's commitment to sustainable business practices is part of the company's global business philosophy, Creating Shared Value. Core to the business model is working to ensure that the company is environmentally responsible and mindful of water and the other natural resources.
"At Nestle, the way we make our products is just as important as the quality of the products themselves," said Paul. "To celebrate this Earth Day, Nestle in the United States will reinforce its commitment to the environment among all our employees and continue to be environmental leaders in our industry and in our communities."
To celebrate this Earth Day, Nestle in the United States launched a number of specific initiatives including:
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Through the Do-Gooder Design Challenge, Nestle Purina PetCare Company's Yesterday's News brand cat litter is challenging four leading green designers to "Do Good" by transforming recycled newspaper into fashion-forward designs to benefit green charities. Yesterday's News is an eco-friendly cat litter made from recycled materials including paper and sawdust.
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Nestle's Purina PetCare Company created the "Together We Can" recycling campaign aimed at raising awareness around the recyclability of pet food cans.
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Nestle Waters North America is conducting a number of programs to educate and encourage their 8,045 employees and families to recycle, such as:
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Providing each employee a T-shirt made out of recycled bottles that carries a recycle message and encourages them to be advocates for recycling;
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Launching a calendar contest for employees' children to submit artwork explaining why they recycle. Calendars will be available for employees at the end of the year;
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Collaborating with ProjectWET to create a book on recycling that will be sent to all employees by Earth Day;
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Developing a portal where employees can learn more ways to recycle at home, at work and on-the-go;
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Donating any profits from the Nestle Waters North America Greenwich cafeteria on Earth Day to the Greenwich Tree Conservancy to help replace at least one of the 700 trees lost during the recent storms.
In the United States, Nestle does a lot for the environment every day. A few examples include:
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The majority of Nestle plants in the United States are ISO 14001 certified, an internationally recognized set of standards for environmental management systems.
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Ten new U.S. factories have received LEED certification. LEED stands for "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design." Certification is issued by the U.S. Green Building Council when you prove this is sustainable construction.
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Over the past five years, Nestle Waters North America reduced water consumption in its factories to where production of our product takes less water than any other packaged beverage.
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Nestle Purina PetCare Company is the first U.S. manufacturer to use renewable solar energy for the production of pet food.
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The best way to reduce packaging waste is to reduce packaging. Nestle Waters North America's recyclable Eco-Shape .5 -liter bottle contains 35 percent less plastic than the same size bottle produced four years ago.
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Nestle Waters North America is investing in hybrid delivery trucks that are expected to deliver a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy.
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In Solon, Ohio, approximately 80 percent of Nestle USA's Prepared Foods factory's energy boiler needs are met with methane gas emissions from a landfill, greatly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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Through the Haagen-Dazs Loves Honey Bees campaign, Haagen-Dazs has donated $620,000 to researchers at Penn State and the University of California-Davis to help discover why honey bees are dying off across North America.
About Nestle in the United States
Nestle in the United States consists of five main businesses: Nestle USA, Nestle Waters North America, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, Nestle Nutrition and Nestle Professional. Together, these companies operate in more than 120 locations in 47 states and employ more than 44,000 people. It is Nestle S.A.'s largest market with combined product sales in the United States totaling more than $28 billion in 2009.
Nestle in the United States sells some of the world's best-known brands and products. Key brands include Lean Cuisine, Nestle Toll House, Powerbar, Nestle Pure Life, Poland Spring, Gerber and Purina One.