ENGINEERING NEWS 29 Feb 2008 Page 74
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1 of 3 | Bottled-water industry investigates water stewardship

Chanel Pringle | Features Writer The South African National Bottled Water Association (Sanbwa) is investigating how a water stewardship programme could be applied to the local industry to ensure that the industry remains responsible in terms of its water management. The total amount of water used by the South African bottled-water industry is 17,8 t/sec for the year. The estimated monetary turnover is Rl 738-million, and the industry has 1 474 employees in direct employment. Sanbwa says this shows that using water directly for satisfying thirst through bottled water is both employmentwise and finance-wise one of the most efficient uses of water. It states, "Sanbwa is embarking on examining how water stewardship can be applied by our members and how this concept can be incorporated into the regular audits of our members` bottling plants. Our aim is to ensure that we continue to regard our water resource with the utmost respect and to understand how this respect can be evaluated and quantified." The association explains that water stewardship is a newly developed concept in which high-volume water users can take responsibility and credit for responsible water management, right across the water use cycle. Its existing requirement for bottlers of natural water is that a report is provided by a qualified hydrogeologist, in which the water resource is properly described, and also that any existing polluting activities in the regional area are noted. "The hydrogeologist is required to certify that the resource supplying the bottling plant is free from any potential pollution. "This can be regarded as a first step on the path of water stewardship," says the association. Further, another recent concept, the concept of a water footprint, evaluates the amount of water needed to produce an item of consumption; for example, the production of 1 kg of beef requires 16 000 ( of water, to produce 1 kg of maize requires 900 € of water, to produce one cup of coffee requires 140 ( of water, and to produce one sheet of A4 paper requires 10 i of water.
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ENGINEERING NEWS 29 Feb 2008 Page 75
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2 of 3 | `A full bottle 1 of water is a I positive symbol of goodness and a healthy I lifestyle, whe

WATER STEWARDSHIP Sanbwa is embarking on examining how its members can apply the principle of water stewardship "Despite extensive research, we have not been able to find the amount of water required to produce 1 f of water; however, the important point is that in order to follow the precepts of water stew- ardship, one of the first tasks is to identify the water footprint, identify the areas where water is used, and then to set targets of reduction," explains the association. Sanbwa aims to improve its member`s environmental stewardship by ensuring effective water management, which will include requirements for source protection, efficient water use, and responsible effluent practices. Further, it aims to reduce, reuse and recycle solid waste within the industry, promote the efficiency of the industry, and to support initiatives to encourage consumers to recycle the water bottles after use. Sanbwa chairperson John Weaver says that one of the biggest challenges facing the industry is the question of the recycling of used containers. "A full bottle of water is a positive symbol of goodness and a healthy lifestyle, whereas the empty container is a negative symbol of waste and packaging excess," `A full bottle 1 of water is a I positive symbol of goodness and a healthy I lifestyle, whereas the empty container is a negative symbol of waste and packaging excess` says Weaver. He points out, however, that all bottled water is packaged in poly-urethane (PET) plastic. "PET is the most valuable of all the recycled plastics, especially owing to the active support of South African recycling company • To page 76
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ENGINEERING NEWS 29 Feb 2008 Page 75
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2 of 3 | `A full bottle 1 of water is a I positive symbol of goodness and a healthy I lifestyle, whe

WATER STEWARDSHIP Sanbwa is embarking on examining how its members can apply the principle of water stewardship "Despite extensive research, we have not been able to find the amount of water required to produce 1 f of water; however, the important point is that in order to follow the precepts of water stew- ardship, one of the first tasks is to identify the water footprint, identify the areas where water is used, and then to set targets of reduction," explains the association. Sanbwa aims to improve its member`s environmental stewardship by ensuring effective water management, which will include requirements for source protection, efficient water use, and responsible effluent practices. Further, it aims to reduce, reuse and recycle solid waste within the industry, promote the efficiency of the industry, and to support initiatives to encourage consumers to recycle the water bottles after use. Sanbwa chairperson John Weaver says that one of the biggest challenges facing the industry is the question of the recycling of used containers. "A full bottle of water is a positive symbol of goodness and a healthy lifestyle, whereas the empty container is a negative symbol of waste and packaging excess," `A full bottle 1 of water is a I positive symbol of goodness and a healthy I lifestyle, whereas the empty container is a negative symbol of waste and packaging excess` says Weaver. He points out, however, that all bottled water is packaged in poly-urethane (PET) plastic. "PET is the most valuable of all the recycled plastics, especially owing to the active support of South African recycling company • To page 76
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ENGINEERING NEWS 29 Feb 2008 Page 76
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3 of 3 | `We encourage

BOTTLED-WATER INDUSTRY • Changing lifestyle trends, rather than South Africa`s economic boom over the last two years, are driving the more than 20% year-on-year growth of the local bottled-water industry • As the bottled water market develops, retailers grow in popularity as distribution outlets of bottled water • Sanbwa represents ten producers of bottled water who, collectively, produce 80% of the bottled water consumed in South Africa • From page 75 PETCo. Many PET bottle manufacturers contribute a voluntary surcharge of R200/t of virgin PET to PETCo. "This money is used to subsidise the recycling of PET, with the result that 18,5% of PET in South Africa is recycled," explains Weaver. He says that this is higher than glass recycling in South Africa, but the challenge remains with the bottled-water industry to make the public more aware and participatory in recycling PET. "We also encourage our members to only use bottle suppliers that contribute to the recycling fund," says Weaver. Further, Weaver notes that another challenge facing the industry is the perceived low cost of entry into the business of bottling water. He explains, "To the inexperienced person, bottling water is seen as merely holding an empty bottle at the spring discharge, putting on a cap and label, and making a few rands profit. In fact, to bottle water without contaminating the water requires a very high level of plant hygiene and sanitation programmes, as well as substantial investment in plant and facilities." Bottled water has no preservatives, so any microbial contamination could result in product recall. Weaver says this perceived low barrier of entry results in a number of new labels on the market every year, with many disappearing after two or three years in the business. "These ephemeral labels have the potential to damage the image of bottled water, and one of the thrusts of Sanbwa is to provide some assistance in the early days of a new bottler`s start-up. our members to use bottle suppliers that contribute to the recycling fund` "Once they become members of the association, we ensure compliance with our standards." In addition, the association aims to include all industry participants as members. It already represents 80% of the industry by volume and this year opened membership to bottlers of prepared water. "We are currently finalising our guidelines and standards for prepared water, against which these bottlers will be measured to obtain membership. "Membership of Bonaqua will take our representation up to 90% of the bottled water sold in South Africa," says Sanbwa technical manager Charlotte Metcalf. Moreover, the association aims to get as much support as possible from the trade to sup- ; port bottled water carrying the Sanbwa logo. In addition, Metcalf adds, "We are currently drawing up detailed requirements and benchmarks for members to adhere to in order to reach our goal of improving members` environmental stewardship." Finally, it aims to extend its membership and expertise to the rest of Africa and help its international counterparts to become the African leg of the International Council of Bottled Water Associations. ENGINEERING NEWS COUPON ON PAGE 108 E126707
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