3 MIN READ

12-2-2024

Water Conservation Strategies in the Beverage Industry

Alex Schulze , CEO/Co-Founder

Water Conservation Strategies in the Beverage Industry

With around 2 billion people still lacking clean drinking water, many corporations are prioritizing water conservation practices and minimizing water pollution from their industrial operations. As both consumers and corporations work together to mitigate their impact on freshwater resources and support biodiversity, positive changes are emerging as corporations increasingly recognize the importance of water stewardship.

Consumer Influence on the Beverage Industry

Having witnessed the increasingly noticeable effects of climate change over the years, many consumers are prioritizing sustainability in their purchases and recognizing the influence their spending has. By opting to purchase from sustainable brands, shoppers can drive companies to prioritize eco-friendly practices and adapt to the growing demand for responsible business operations.

Both big and small brands are taking notice and making efforts to optimize their processes to be more climate-friendly and sustainable so shoppers can align their purchases with companies that match their core values. Just this past summer, over 100 sports organizations and elite athletes—including Olympians and world champions—called on large beverage companies to move to reusable packaging.

Big Corporations Making A Big Difference

Large beverage corporations are implementing several strategies to reduce water waste and promote sustainability even beyond the Olympics. For instance, PepsiCo has made substantial commitments to water stewardship, including software to improve and monitor water-use efficiency at their plants and investing in community water replenishment programs. By 2025, they aim to replenish more water than they consume in high-water-risk areas through efforts like restoring watersheds and increasing water recycling​.

Similarly, Coca-Cola has achieved a "water neutral" status by replenishing over 100% of the water used in its products back to the environment through local projects. They have invested in water efficiency technologies, including closed-loop systems that recycle water in production. Coca-Cola aims to have 25% of its global packaging be refillable/returnable by 2030 which would play a pivotal role in protecting our oceans and waterways.

AB InBev, the world’s largest brewer, is also focusing on reducing water use. In less than five years, they have already reduced their water consumption rate by 14%. Their company's overarching goal is to 

Small Companies With Big Impact

Many smaller and lesser-known beverage companies are also making significant strides in sustainability.

Old Bust Head Brewery, for example, uses heat exchangers to recapture heat during brewing and an inline filter to recycle rinse water, significantly reducing their water usage compared to the industry average. These water-saving efforts are part of a broader commitment to sustainability, including carbon capture technology.

Similarly, Tiny Footprint Coffee stands out for sourcing shade-grown, bird-friendly coffee, which requires less water due to the natural moisture retention of the shaded environment. This method not only conserves water but also supports biodiversity.

Beverage Companies Embrace Water-Saving Techniques

Consumers have the power to influence major corporations through their voices and spending choices–and their concerns are being heard. More and more companies are committing to eco-conscious production practices, which is great news because every drop counts in reducing water waste within the beverage industry.

A recent Oceana report forecasted that a 10% increase in the global use of reusable beverage packaging by 2030 could eliminate over 1 trillion single-use plastic bottles and cups. This would prevent up to 153 billion containers from polluting the world’s waterways and oceans. In today's world, each purchase plays a role in preserving the planet. As businesses and consumers work together, these collective efforts can drive meaningful change toward a more sustainable future.