With the climate crisis leading to droughts in some countries and flooding in others, we’re becoming increasingly alert to our symbiotic relationship with water. As Leonardo da Vinci recognised back in the 16th century: “Water is the driving force behind all nature.”
One company that has its own ethos around this precious resource is the global food and beverage company Suntory, which follows the philosophy “mizu to ikiru”, translating to “living with water” – a mantra that has become ever more relevant over time. As more businesses and people strive to live and work in a sustainable manner, this ethos is helping to shape the way the company looks to protect water for future generations.
There’s now a race against time to get the next generation on board, which is why the company is so committed to sustainable action. At Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I), which owns Ribena, Lucozade and Orangina, one key initiative is its Water Wisdom Days. Inspired by its parent company’s Mizuiku programme in Japan (“mizu” means water, and “iku” means education), it’s a series of events that teach families around the world the importance of water. So far, 320,000 people, in countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, France and Spain have taken part.
In its own take on the programme, SBF GB&I is partnering with the charity Severn Rivers Trust to run the Water Wisdom Days. Over the summer, families are taking part in free days out along the Severn, the UK’s longest river, at picturesque spots such as Lydney Harbour in Gloucestershire, Diglis Island, near Worcester, and Severn Valley country park in Shropshire.
As part of the scheme – announced during the annual World Water Day on 22 March – participants have been getting hands-on by observing the local wildlife, sampling water, making minibeast homes and learning about the fish pass at Diglis Island, which enables migrating fish such as salmon to swim upstream to spawn. The MP Rebecca Pow, who was an environment minister until early July, said: “We all need to do our bit now … It’s encouraging to see this partnership driving awareness of how vital water is not just for people, but for all wildlife, and how we can all act to safeguard and preserve it.”
As well as working with communities, SBF GB&I has been focusing on its own eco-practices at its UK factories. The introduction of a high-speed filling line at its Gloucestershire base reduced the amount of water needed to bottle each drink by 40%, and onsite boreholes supply 60% of all water used. The company is also committed to recovering and reusing water to reduce waste, in line with its global sustainability initiatives and global target to use 35% less water in its production plants by 2030.
As campaigners often point out: there’s no planet B. But by encouraging water sustainability to flow from SBF GB&I’s UK farms and factories, and engaging with the next generation, the company is looking after this precious resource. Here’s to a future where we’re all more water smart.
Find out more about how to book free tickets for SBF GB&I’s Water Wisdom Days
Suntory Beverage & Food is one of the world’s most innovative food and drink companies. Discover more about the business and its sustainability pledges
