Nestlé Strong environmental responsibility

Interview with Mr Michel MERSCH, CEO Nestlé Belgilux

Nestlé is committed to protecting our planet. Could you give us some examples of local initiatives in this area? Our head office hires a cleaning company that uses highly energy efficient technologies and discussions are ongoing to ensure that staff use water-efficient car wash facilities. In addition, the Group's water bottling plant has signed a partnership agreement with all the local farmers and the commune of Etalle for the protection of a spring or impluvium area. This program, called “Agrivair”, aims to stop the use of pesticides by farmers and municipalities; to do so, farmers are supported through technical advice and training provided by experienced agronomists and bioengineers. This approach guarantees the excellence of the Valvert mineral water. As part of this, the bottles have been made of 100% recycled plastic since 2019.

How is Nestlé contributing to the fight against climate change? Our goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 in order to keep global warming to 1.5°. The Business Ambition for 1.5°C commitment was signed at UN headquarters in December 2019. We intend to accelerate our efforts in this framework and our commercial headquarters are actively taking part in it. Starting with Brussels: in one year, the Brussels office has reduced its energy impact by 52%, i.e. a saving of 360 tonnes of CO 2 , switching to 100% green electricity.

Nestlé is also very active in the area of sustainable mobility. Could you please tell us more about this? The Group has adopted a mobility agreement with its employees with a company car. They can now choose a smaller vehicle and reinvest the difference in an alternative mobility package. They can also reduce their travel by teleworking two days a week. A positive spiral has been set in motion, with 40% savings on kms travelled for business purposes, thereby freeing up budget for alternative mobility once a week. The end goal would be for the vehicle to be used only 40% of the time during the week. Another step will be taken in 2020 when the company vehicle fleet evolve towards greener technologies such as CNG, hybrid or electric.

What is your waste management policy? We have set up five types of sorting in the offices. In addition, we have eliminated single-use plastics in 2019, we have set a Zero Waste ambition for the head office by 2021 and we aim to make all our packaging 100% reusable or recyclable by 2025. And let's not forget the launch of "Yes" bars in paper packaging, or the Valvert brand natural mineral water bottles, which are made from 100% recycled old bottles and remain 100% recyclable. Nestlé is also fighting deforestation: by 2020, the Group will be able to verify that its raw material suppliers respect their commitments thanks to a satellite tracking partnership. Let’s also not forget Garden Gourmet, a range of products rich in vegetable proteins for a balanced and tasty diet. Finally, Nestlé is a forerunner in capsule recycling: while the level of collection does not exceed 30% in Belgium, the Group is counting on a dedicated programme and its own systems to extend and accelerate the collection and recyclability of capsules. Good for our planet! © Nestlé

Nestlé Belgilux Rue de Birmingham 221 B- 1070 Anderlecht Tel.: +32 (0)2 529 52 52 Email: Florence.Maniquet@be.nestle.com https://www.nestle.be