Suntory Okudaisen Bunanomori Water Plant is the first in Japan to receive international water certification by the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)!

In December 2018, the Suntory Okudaisen Bunanomori Water Plant was the first in Japan to receive certification by the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) with regard to its sustainable use of water in the basin around the plant. AWS is an organization established jointly by NGOs including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) with corporate partners, in order to promote global water sustainability. AWS certification refers to the sustainable use of water by factories around the world, with the goal of promoting water preservation and stewardship.

For the purpose of preserving sufficient wooded areas to cultivate groundwater more than the amount used in the plant, the Okudaisen Bunanomori Water Plant is taking care of 409 hectares of woods, the Okudaisen Natural Water Sanctuary, to ensure the sustainability of water resources. The AWS certification indicates approval of the Suntory Group’s grasp of water intake and outgo in the basin around the plant, water resource cultivation based on scientific data, water conservation and water quality management at the plant, collaboration with other stakeholders in the basin, and suitable information release, in accordance with its “Sustainable Water Philosophy.”

The Suntory Group set forth environmental targets for 2030 in 2018, and is working to reduce environmental impact to contribute to the creation of a sustainable society. This includes striving to reduce water consumption at the company’s plants and cut CO2 emissions throughout the entire value chain. Suntory intends to continue not only using water suitably and returning it cleanly to nature, but contributing to healthy water circulation in nature by protecting forests that nurture groundwater and so on: that is, by recognizing “water sustainability” as one of the most important tasks for the business, and working to preserve and regenerate nature.

● Suntory Group approaches
Based on “To create harmony with people and nature” (the core of its corporate philosophy), the Suntory Group has made the promise of “Mizu To Ikiru*1”. In addition to preserving and regenerating nature and reducing environmental impact, it has implemented various water-related efforts for many years, including the Natural Water Sanctuary to cultivate forests that nurture groundwater, and the Suntory Mizuiku Program - an education program for the next generation to tell the importance of water and nature.
The company has also been implementing the Suntory Mizuiku Program in Vietnam, which is highly evaluated by local governments and residents, since 2015. In January 2017, “Sustainable Water Philosophy” was established as a Suntory Group basic principle when working with water. The Suntory Group will continue sharing its philosophies throughout the entire group of more than 300 domestic and international companies. It will also implement activities in each regional environment to help conserve water, the most precious resource for its business.

*1 "Mizu To Ikiru," literally "living with water," is the promise we make to our customers, and the voice of our philosophy. From here flow all our other brand attributes, and every facet of our business. We value the blessings of water, and deliver them as goodness that touches every part of our world. We protect water in all its forms. Like water, we change and adapt. Every day, we turn into something new.

Suntory Beverage & Food Limited Website (Environmental Website)
About CSR at the Suntory Group