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Wyeth Nutrition forecasts a sustainable future with local primary school

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Boys-scientists on the field

Nestlé Wyeth Nutrition factory brought sunshine to the curriculum at a primary school close to its site in Askeaton, Ireland, when it presented pupils with a weather station.  From its location, the weather station will allow pupils to record temperature, wind speed and direction and rain fall levels. The data captured will help the children to learn about ecosystems, as well as providing data which will be used in planning alternative energy sources for the factory.

This educational partnership is part of the factory’s sustainability programme, which also brought a 1,800 square metre butterfly meadow and insect lodge to the area to enhance local biodiversity.

The presentation was made to the Principal of the local school at Wyeth’s Butterfly Meadow.

At the launch, the National Director of the Irish Government’s National Biodiversity Data Centre, Dr. Una Fitzpatrick attended to witness the range of sustainability activities being carried out by Wyeth.

 

Speaking on the day Dr Fitzpatrick stated:

 

“Unfortunately, Irish pollinators are in decline, with one third of our 98 bee species threatened with extinction. In 2015, we published an All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and became one of the first countries in Europe to have developed a strategy to address pollinator decline and protect pollination services. Protecting pollinators safeguards the livelihoods of our farmers and protects our ability to grow our own fruit and vegetables. Given that three quarters of our wildflowers also need to be pollinated, it also protects the colour and beauty of our landscape.

“Across the island we are seeing organisations from all sectors coming together to take action to make Ireland pollinator friendly. Nowhere is this more evident than in the initiatives being carried out by Nestlé. In making their Wyeth site a place where pollinators can survive and thrive, they are leading the way and providing an example of the role businesses can play in making local communities more sustainable for our biodiversity,” she concluded.

Girls-scientists on the field 
 

Brian Shiel, Safety, Health and Environment Lead, Wyeth Nutrition Ireland said:

 

"Nestlé has a clear objective to achieve 20 percent renewable energy use across all its sites by 2020. Our partnership with a local primary school will assist us in deciding the best approaches our factory can take in achieving this ambitious goal. I would like to thank the local school children and our external experts in making this educational project a reality. Over the next 4 years, I am certain we will take big steps in reducing the environmental footprint of our Limerick plant with the help of both our employees and our community."

Nestlé Wyeth Nutrition infant formula plant in Askeaton engages in a wide range of environmental sustainability activities that target water use, energy, raw material procurement, biodiversity and waste.

ENDS

For further information:
Siobhan Molloy/Rachel Galligan
Weber Shandwick PR        (01) 6798600/086 8175066

About Nestlé in Ireland:
Nestlé Ireland is a subsidiary of Nestlé SA, the world’s leading nutrition, health and wellness company. It has over 70 brands across six categories in the Irish market: beverage, confectionery, cereals, food, petcare and infant nutrition. Nestlé’s Wyeth Nutrition infant formula plant is located in Askeaton, Co. Limerick. Nestlé’s iconic brands in Ireland include Nescafé, Kit Kat, Rowntree's, Maggi as well as Bakers and Felix petfood and SMA infant nutrition.  Nestlé employs over 700 people in Ireland.