Manufacturing & Supply Chain

Britvic Ireland, the largest soft drinks manufacturer in the Republic of Ireland, has been awarded Origin Green Gold Membership for 2021, joining a committed group of leading food and drink companies who have been recognised and celebrated by Bord Bia’s Origin Green programme for excelling in their sustainability targets and demonstrating best-in-class environmental performance among their peers.

The award this year is especially meaningful as it reflects 8 years of progress across a series of Sustainability targets which were set when Britvic first received Origin Green accreditation as part of the Healthier Everyday strategy.  Achievements span reductions in sugar, energy use, water footprint and packaging circularity.

Since first achieving Origin Green accreditation Britvic Ireland has made major breakthroughs in Sustainability across all areas of the portfolio including:

• Reducing Sugar: 43% reduction in Calories per Serve achieved through a combination of sugar reduction, consumer education and the launch of delicious low sugar options such as Club Zero.
• Reducing Waste: Achieving Zero waste to landfill from all Britvic Ireland sites.
• Reducing Emissions: A move to 100% Renewable electricity across all manufacturing sites.
• Reducing Water: 25% reduction in Water Footprint
• Supporting Packaging Circularity: Achieving 100% Recycleable consumer packaging and step-changing the use of recycled materials with Ballygowan in 100% recycled PET bottles.
• Supporting Local Communities: Providing meaningful support to a variety of local charities and grassroots sport including raising an amazing €2.8million to date through the Miwadi Trick or Treat for Temple Street campaign.

Origin Green Gold Membership is awarded to companies who demonstrate an exceptional annual performance on their sustainability targets based on the assessment of the independent verification authority, Mabbett.

Sian Young, Head of People & Planet at Britvic Ireland, commented on the award: “We are delighted to have been awarded Origin Green Gold Membership for 2021, and be recognised as a company who demonstrate best-in-class environmental performance and can be an inspiration and role model for our peers. We are incredibly proud of our Sustainability journey to date and our Origin Green Gold Membership is yet another milestone achieved under Britvic Ireland’s Healthier People, Healthier Planet strategy.”

In 2020 and 2021 Britvic have continued their drive for 100% sustainability across the business, under their new Healthier People, Healthier Planet strategy and have made significant investments in embedding sustainability across the business operations and products in service of ambitious targets for 2025 including a 50% reduction in Direct Carbon Emissions, 30% Reduction in Water Footprint and 20% Reduction in Packaging per Serve.

Kevin Donnelly (pictured), Managing Director of Britvic Ireland, paid tribute to the team effort involved in achieving the award.  “It’s a privilege to receive gold accreditation and a recognition of the hard work of the whole team at Britvic Ireland.  We have set exacting sustainability targets, which are transforming every aspect of our business.”