3.7 Environmental investments and savings
Each production facility within the Heineken Company prepares a Three-year plan
incorporating target figures pertaining to its environmental policy. The operating
companies also provide information about the new measures to be implemented
during this period, together with the required investments. The environmental invest
ments scheduled for the period 2000-2002 at our most important European oper
ating companies amount to a total expenditure in excess of EUR 12 million.
These investments pertain to measures to counter emissions of odours, effluent
treatment, soil investigations and modifications to boiler houses. However, it must be
recognised that other regular investments also often lead to improved environmental
performance.
In addition to a continual refining of environmental management the policy
also focuses on the reduction of present and future production costs. Within the con
cept of eco-efficiency environment and economics go hand in hand. Improvements in
water and energy efficiency (see Chapter 5) have resulted both in a reduction of the
environmental impact and in substantial savings. However the economic benefits
achieved by some investments are not immediately apparent. This is applicable, al
though falling outside the scope of this European Report, for projects such as the con
struction of wastewater treatment installations at all Heineken's African breweries.
Two African plants have now begun work on the development of trial installations.
3.8 Product-oriented environmental management
In general ISO 14001 certification pertains solely to the production facilities. However,
we have committed ourselves to the continual improvement of our environmental
performance throughout the entire supply chain, as laid down in the CEPS. For its bre
weries in Zoeterwoude and Den Bosch, Heineken Nederland has supplemented its ISO
14001-based system of environmental management with some elements - in part
already implemented - regarding the supply chain. Within this scope we have gained
experience with the specification and refining of environmental standards applicable
to promotional material, packaging and agricultural raw materials.
TED DANSON
PRESIDENT OF AMERICAN OCEANS CAMPAIGN
■so, I'M NO DIFFERENT THAN ANYONE ELSE. I HAVE A TENURED GUILT ABOUT HOW MUCH I USE.
AND A LITTLE MORE AWARENESS OF HOW PRECIOUS WATER IS
AND HOW IT WILL BECOME, UNFORTUNATELY WHAT WE FIGHT OVER.
PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL
Since 1998 a multi-disciplinary
team has drawn up the environ
mental criteria applicable to all
promotional material purchased by
Heineken Nederland. These criteria
are not restricted solely to the
relevant legislation and regula
tions, but also take into account
new developments such as the
discussions about the use of PVC,
a material which Heineken avoids
whenever possible. Another
important decision concerned the
choice of alternative packaging
and advertising materials that did
not contain heavy metals. As a
result of constructive consultations
with suppliers and in combination
with random inspections, our
promotional material now not only
complies with the applicable statu
tory provisions, but also with the
- often more stringent - require
ments imposed by Heineken.
THE ORGANISATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
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