Wednesday, 18 September 2019 09:55

Saving water at dry spots

Written by  Staff Reporters
Robert Spurway. Robert Spurway.

At least 3.4 billion litres of water will be saved every year under new water targets Fonterra launched this month, the co-op says.

Six of its factories in water-constrained regions will reduce their water use by 30% by 2030 in a bid to accelerate sustainability, says chief operating officer global operations Robert Spurway.

“For some parts of New Zealand, water isn’t always in the right place at the right time,” said Spurway. “This means our water use in these regions can put stress on local water sources and the communities that rely on them. 

“Reducing our water use at our manufacturing sites is the right thing to do for the environment and for the communities we operate in.”

The six sites are Maungatoroto, Lichfield, Brightwater, Darfield, Edendale and Clandeboye.

Spurway says the targets will ultimately result in better efficiency and outcomes.

“We’ve focused on the six sites where major water savings can have the greatest impact. This means we can target efforts and investment in regions most in need.”

All other Fonterra sites will take steps to keep water use to FY18 baselines.

“Some initiatives are underway and more are in the pipeline. This target will require clever ideas and creative thinking.”

The co-op also has the following plans:

• No more coal boilers or increasing capacity to burn coal

• Reducing emissions by 30% at all factories by 2030, on the way to net zero by 2050

• Improving the energy intensity of sites by 20% by 2020

• No solid waste to landfills by 2025

• 100% recyclable, reusable and compostable packaging by 2025

• A tailored farm environment plan for every Fonterra farmer by 2025

More like this

Cynical politics

OPINION: There is zero chance that someone who joined Fonterra as a lobbyist, then served as a general manager of Fonterra's nutrient management programme, and sat on the board of Export NZ, a division of lobbyist group Business New Zealand, doesn't understand that local butter (and milk and cheese) prices are set by the international commodity price.

Why is butter so expensive in New Zealand? Fonterra explains

Kiwis love their butter, and that's great because New Zealand produces some of the best butter in the world. But when the price of butter goes up, it's tough for some, particularly when many other grocery staples have also gone up and the heat goes on co-operative Fonterra, the country's main butter maker. Here the co-op explains why butter prices are so high right now.

Featured

Rural backlash over plan to cut police staffing

Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green says two public meetings held this week should have made it loud and clear that rural families and businesses are concerned about proposed staffing changes at NZ Police.

DairyNZ thanks farm staff

August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.

Editorial: Getting RMA settings right

OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Fatberg

OPINION: Sydney has a $12 million milk disposal problem.

Synlait snag

OPINION: Canterbury milk processor Synlait's recovery seems to have hit another snag.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter