Manukau factory commits to the environment

The Nestle NZ, Cambria Park factory in Wiri, Manukau, has donated $25,000 this year to the Wai Care Environmental Program which focuses on environmental sustainability, particularly around water. This is the 8th year that the Nestle Cambria Park team has contributed to this important local initiative, with the funding enabling projects to be taken to local schools.
The money will be used to educate students and promote environmental sustainability in Manukau schools, particularly in relation to waterways.
A number of schools, including Weymouth Intermediate and Papatoetoe High will have water tanks, compost and gardening systems, and worm farms installed, to support their propagating of plants for wetland restoration alongside the Puhinui stream.
Environmental sustainability is under-recognised in many schools. Water harvesting has great potential to help schools educate their students.
Manager of Corporate Services at Nestle, Maurice Gunnell, says it is important to give back to the community and environment in which Nestle works.
“Nestle seeks to maintain and improve the environment in which it works. By contributing to sustainability, we hope to facilitate future generations to join us in our commitment to the environment and most importantly, to enjoy all that the NZ environment has to offer.”
“Our employees can take pride knowing their factory is making where they live and where they work, a better place,” says factory manager, Paul Steinkamp.
Wai Care Co-ordinator Andrew Jenks explains that you can see the difference the partnership makes to the Puhinui Stream.
“We have planted over 12,500 trees, cleaned up the Puhunui stream, provided improved habitat for a number of different types of wildlife and at the same time, educated younger generations about the importance of the environment.
“Each year we encourage schools in Manukau to learn about the environment and the importance of caring for waterways, and get them involved by working on the waterways and helping create a more environmentally sustainable community.
“The water harvesting initiatives we are establishing this year in schools will be of benefit to both the environment and to the schools. Currently, over 20 per cent of water used by schools could be recycled water.
“Harvesting rainwater to grow native plants to improve waterways and also to water school gardens is a good use of this resource and saves schools paying for treated drinking water.”
This project is part of the Nestle Community Environmental Program, an Oceania-wide initiative with a strong focus on water sustainability and ways to better harvest and care for natural resources.