SIGNATORIES TO the Federation House Commitment (FHC) significantly reduced the amount of water used in the manufacture of food and drink last year, saving the industry £2 million in the purchase price of water alone. The news comes as part of the Commitment’s annual progress report, published today by WRAP.
Between 2012 and 2013, signatories reduced their water use by 1.35 million m3, meaning that since the start of the FHC in 2007 signatories have collectively made a 15.6% reduction in their water use – excluding water in product. This is equivalent to 6.1 million m3 reduction in annual water use since FHC began, enough to fill 2,430 Olympic-size swimming pools, and is a particularly impressive achievement given that production increased by 8.2% at these same sites over this period.
The figures for water intensity – the amount of water needed per unit of production – also saw a dramatic reduction of 22% compared to the 2007 baseline, decreasing by 0.49 m3 per tonne of product.
The reductions have been achieved through a range of water management initiatives implemented by FHC signatories. Case studies are included within the report outlining a selection of these, including the example of Kellogg’s manufacturing site in Manchester which halved its water use since joining the FHC in 2008, achieving a water intensity reduction of 55% between 2007 and 2013.
Richard Swannell, Director of Sustainable Food Systems at WRAP said; “Today’s findings show the FHC signatories’ commitment to contributing towards the Food Industry Sustainability Strategy water reduction target of 20% by 2020. I’m particularly impressed by the reduction of water-use-intensity in the last year, which continued at a rate comparable with the early stages of the Commitment, a great result since many of the easier wins have already been implemented.”
Environment Minister Dan Rogerson said: “Becoming more water efficient is not only good for the environment but passes on savings to companies which in turn helps create a stronger economy and fairer society. I am very pleased to see the manufacturing industry reducing its water use and I hope others will follow suit.”
Managed by WRAP in partnership with the Food and Drink Federation and Dairy UK, the Federation House Commitment is supported by the Environment Agency and Defra. Today’s report summarises the water savings made by signatories in 2013, as well as highlighting measures undertaken by individual companies to reduce water use at their UK manufacturing sites.
Melanie Leech, Director General at the Food and Drink Federation said; “We are pleased to see our members and other signatories continue making significant water savings as part of the Federation House Commitment. Reduction in water use has been achieved despite an increase in production and we remain committed to further water savings as part of our Five-fold Environmental Ambition.”
