Accelerating circular economy model in safeguarding the environment at Nestlé Vietnam

Being a member of Nestlé Group, the world leading group in nutrition, health and wellness with its headquarter in Vevey – Switzerland with the presence across 187 nations, Nestlé Vietnam’s purpose is to unclock the power of food to enhance the quality of life for everyone, today and the generations to come. With more than 150 years of experiences in the field of nutrition, Nestlé aims at bringing a healthier and happier life to consumers across the world, through familiar brands such as MILO, Nescafe, Maggi, Nestea, Nesvita, NAN, and La Vie, etc.

Nestlé Vietnam has been committed to long-term investment and sustainable development for Vietnam for almost three decades now. Our vision is to be recognized as the leading Glocal and Sustainable company. Driven by values rooted in respect, we work hand-in-hand with our partners to create shared values. That means contributing to society while also ensuring the long-term success of our business. We call this ‘Creating Shared Value’ (CSV) and it is at the heart of everything we do.

Our sustainability strategy includes actions and interventions that ensure we do no harm and that we repair and replenish the environment. Meanwhile, some are designed to go further, advancing an agenda that is more ambitious and takes us towards the regeneration of communities and the environment in which people live. In 2019, the Nestlé Group announced its commitment to be Net Zero by 2050 and we have set out a clear roadmap to achieve this target by actions and interventions throughout our value chain.

Nestlé’s Net Zero Roadmap

 Introduction about Circular economy model in waste management at Nestlé factory – “From Beans to Bricks & Fertilizes” story

In our production and operation, several circular economy initiatives have been applied by Nestlé for years. Since 2015, all Nestlé Vietnam factories have achieved the goal of “Zero Waste to Landfill” thanks to waste management and recycling as well as water management and circularity. In parallel with maintaining the achievement of ” Zero Waste to Landfill”, we continue embracing innovation and renovation solutions to gradually eliminate waste volume generated from production activities.

The typical circular economy model can be named as “From Beans to Bricks and Fertilizers” in our coffee production, of which waste and wastewater are recycled and reused for production input:

• Coffee grounds are recycled as biomass to replace for fuel to operate the boilers;
• Sand discharged from boilers are reused as raw materials for production of eco-bricks;
• Coffee sludge is processed into microbiological fertilizers;
• Steam is reused for cooling towers;
• Wastewater is treated and reused for production of which water quality after treatment can meet Class A standards.

The application of the circular economy model in coffee production alone helps saving about VND 40-50 billion per year for energy cost. More importantly, almost 100% of coffee residues are recycled and reused to create value and not discharged into the environment. In details, the biomass helps replacing more than 74% of diesel fuel, reducing an average of about 12,670 tons of CO2 emissions per year. The reused and recycled rate of wastewater in our coffee factory is up to 65%, contributing for around 30%-35% of water input for coffee production.

To achieve this, right from the early stage of planning, we have put our investment in infrastructure and technologies that facilitate the application and acceleration of circular economy models for the future. In the meanwhile, our continuous improvements through Nestlé Continuous Excellence system in all of our operation and production enable us achieving our sustainable development goals.

“From Beans to Bricks and Fertilizers” circular economy story at Nestlé coffee factory

 Please visit our website www.nestle.com.vn for more info about Nestlé Vietnam’s sustainable development programs and activities.