Ripples of responsibility: A water stewardship journey in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has a long-standing and intricate relationship with water. With vast portions of its land reclaimed from the sea, this unique geographical heritage has forged a deep connection between the Dutch people and this precious resource. Water issues are of paramount importance in the country, which faces various challenges related to water quality, quantity, and management. 

PM Investments, also known as Philip Morris Holland, is a significant production facility of Philip Morris International (PMI) located in Bergen op Zoom, where these challenges are particularly evident. The area faces risks such as surface water quality deterioration, a rising number of flash floods, and increasingly frequent droughts.

Recognizing the critical need for effective water stewardship, PM Investments has taken proactive measures to address these challenges. The company aligns its operations with sustainable practices that benefit the local environment and community. Building on these efforts, PM Investments in Bergen op Zoom achieved Alliance for Water Stewardship  (AWS) certification  in 2022, aligning with PMI’s goal to have all its production sites AWS-certified by 2025.

A milestone in water stewardship

Established some years ago, the PM Investments site in the Netherlands was once Europe’s largest tobacco production facility. Over time, it has transformed to focus on producing semi-finished products for PM Investments’ heated tobacco lines, flavor production, and acting as a key logistics center. 

The Zoom river flows alongside the PM Investments site in Bergen op Zoom, although surface water is not extracted for its production processes. Instead, the facility’s water needs are supplied by Brabant Water, the drinking water company in the region, which sources groundwater from local withdrawal points. Through our initiatives, we reduced water usage equivalent to 25 Olympic pools.

In relation to the wastewater released back into the Zoom river, apart from complying with regulatory standards, PM Investments is working to reduce negative impact on the water ecosystem.    

Achieving AWS certification

The AWS certification process involved various technological initiatives focused on improving water efficiency, such as the installation of water-saving technologies and practices that reduced drinkable groundwater use from the local catchment area.

This milestone reflects the company’s alignment with the five AWS outcomes: Good water governance, sustainable water balance, water quality, conservation of critical water-related areas, and access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene for all. 

“Achieving AWS certification and taking further steps are essential in getting us closer to our goal of reducing our industrial environmental footprint,” said Subashni Thamotharem, Director of Manufacturing Netherlands, PMI Operations.  

In 2023, PM Investments passed its first AWS surveillance audit, affirming its continued commitment. Then, the focus shifted from implementing technical measures to expanding social and community-based initiatives.  Activities during 2023 and 2024 have prioritized research, collaboration, anti-littering actions, and increased employee and community engagement in water stewardship.

Research, collaboration, and community engagement 

To better understand the natural ecosystem around its facility, PM Investments conducted flora and fauna research in 2023 on the East Site, adjacent to the Brabantse Wal nature reserve, a Natura 2000-protected area. The research revealed the presence of species affected by habitat loss, such as hedgehogs and squirrels. This research is expected to inform future conservation efforts and aims to protect biodiversity and fragile ecosystems around the facility.

Additionally, PM Investments actively participates in a regional water workgroup alongside authorities and other major water users. This collaboration focuses on addressing local water challenges and identifying opportunities for collective action on water sustainability.

Anti-littering measures along the Zoom river

In 2023, to help address littering along the Zoom river, PM Investments installed two anti-littering posters and added a large waste bin (1,100 liters capacity) to prevent trash from entering the water. Additionally, it installed three cigarette butt poles where people can deposit butts but not other waste on site, aiming to prevent toxins from entering local water sources and protecting biodiversity hotspots.

Employee engagement took center stage in the same year, with the highlight being a river clean-up event along the Zoom. PM Investments employees, along with local stakeholders, collected over 120 kilograms of trash, setting a powerful example for the community. This event aimed not only to clean the riverbanks but also to inspire community members to adopt sustainable practices.

Looking ahead

During 2023, PM Netherlands significantly expanded its water stewardship measures, building on the foundation established with becoming AWS-certified. Through these initiatives, PM Investments has gained valuable insights into the importance of continuous engagement, flexibility, and collaboration with neighbors, suppliers, consumers, and local authorities—particularly regarding the preservation of the Zoom river. This approach has underscored that effective water stewardship requires ongoing adaptation to evolving environmental challenges and active participation with local stakeholders.

As PM Investments looks to the future, it remains committed to enhancing its water conservation efforts and optimizing waste-reduction technologies. The company’s ongoing involvement with regional water workgroups ensures that its water stewardship strategy will continue to evolve, contributing positively to the health of the local ecosystem and supporting its global sustainability goals. As Director of Manufacturing Netherlands, PMI Operations, Subashni Thamotharem, puts it: “Achieving AWS certification and taking further steps are essential in getting us closer to our goal of reducing our industrial environmental footprint.”