The food and drink industry is on track to meet the Federation House Commitment (FHC) to cut water use by 20% by 2020, according to the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and sustainability experts Envirowise.
Reporting on progress in 2008, after the FHC was signed in January of that year, the FDF said the industry had reduced water use by 1.7% in 2008 compared with 2007 figures. If this rate was sustained on an annual basis, the target would be met.
And FHC signatories are working towards further significant reductions in water use. Case studies cited in the FHC Progress Report: 2009 include Walkers, which aims to cut water use by a further 45% within three years. United Biscuits said it had cut water use by 17% in 2008 compared with 2007.
FHC signatories have saved almost £500,000 in the purchase of water alone, not including the cost of water treatment and effluent disposal. Water saving measures included improving water recovery and re-use and rainwater harvesting.
“The food and drink manufacturing sector is a significant water user and has an important role to play in helping to reduce stress on the nation’s water supplies,” said Andrew Kuyk, FDF director of sustainability and competitiveness.
Reducing water use is one of the pillars of the FDF’s five-fold environmental ambition, which was launched in October 2007 backed by its processor members.