ARAMARK HAS marked the United Nations’ World Water Day by reaching a new charitable milestone.
The company has extended its ‘One Water’ bottled-water project to a record number of sites. More than 400 Aramark-operated locations will now be selling One Water, with 10p from every bottle purchased going to fund clean water projects for families in Africa.
One Water is part of an initiative brought to market by not-for-profit organisation Global Ethics, which funds humanitarian projects in Africa. Its projects include the development and installation of fresh water pumps in areas where the few water supplies available are contaminated or inaccessible.
Aramark has been an enthusiastic supporter of the One Water initiative since 2007 and last October reached a total of three million bottles sold at its sites. More than 90,000 people now have access to clean water pumps as a result of its customers’ efforts.
Aramark will be promoting the purchase of One Water long after World Water Day on 22 March 2014, with new point of sale material in its restaurants, cafés and coffee shops explaining what One Water is, and the good causes to which Aramark’s customers’ money will go.
“We’re growing our support for One Water as it’s such an easy way to support their fantastic work across Africa,” says Val Carter, Corporate Responsibility Director, Aramark. “And now, with over 400 Aramark client locations involved, we can really boost sales of One Water and our clients’ corporate social responsibility credentials too. What’s more, we’ll bring a little ‘feel good factor’ to our customers every time they buy a bottle.”
World Water Day is run by the United Nations to promote understanding of the need for the more sustainable use of water, at a time when demand for water is increasing but sources are becoming more limited.