Suntory PepsiCo: Experiencing nature, educating students about water resources

At the end of May, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam cooperated with the Department of Education and Training of Ben Tre province to organize the program “Experience Nature with Mizuiku”, with the participation of more than 300 students. The program has contributed to nurturing the young generation to live green, understand water, love nature and act for the environment.

Nurturing love and awareness of protecting nature for future generations

The program “Mizuiku – I love clean water” with the goal of educating about saving and preserving water resources initiated by Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam has left many memorable marks on the 10-year journey of implementation in Vietnam. This is a comprehensive program of education about water resources, combining activities in schools, outdoor experiences and improving the ability to access, save and protect clean water resources.

At the end of May, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam cooperated with the Department of Education and Training of Ben Tre province to organize the program "Experience Nature with Mizuiku", with practical learning activities combined with experience and discovery of nature at Hai Van Farm - Vam Ho bird sanctuary. More than 300 students were equipped with additional knowledge through many vivid practical experiences such as: Group warm-up games; Nature experience activities, exploring the mangrove ecosystem of Vam Ho bird sanctuary; Observing and learning about Mizuiku experiments... From there, primary school students in Ben Tre had hours of effectively acquiring knowledge about protecting water resources and the environment. Through classes, experiencing nature and clean water projects, Mizuiku not only sows the seeds of awareness of saving and protecting water resources but also shapes a sustainable future originating from the young generation who love and are aware of protecting nature.

Experiential trips help raise awareness about environmental and water protection

Nationwide, the program “Mizuiku – I love clean water” has become a bright spot in water resource protection education activities. 2023 marks an important step forward for the program when it officially entered into a strategic cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Training. The program document “Guidelines for organizing teaching and learning on saving and protecting water resources for primary schools” has been reviewed, approved by the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam and officially become a guide for organizing teaching and learning on water resources in the official curriculum for primary schools nationwide. Over the past 10 years, Mizuiku has reached more than 937,000 students, 16,000 teachers, and built and renovated 186 clean water facilities across 63 provinces and cities.

Continuous efforts to protect water resources and ecosystems

As a company closely connected to water resources, Suntory PepsiCo has implemented many initiatives with the goal of using water resources effectively, protecting and regenerating water resources, and promoting education to ensure the sustainability of water resources for future generations. Right at the factories, the company applies water optimization with water circulation processes, increasingly reducing the amount of water used for production.

Not stopping there, the company has always been a pioneer in actively regenerating and restoring water resources to nature with greening activities in upstream forests across the country since 2021. In 2024, through public-private partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture & Environment), the model was transformed into the program "Water Conservation - For a Green Vietnam" ("Water of Life") towards sustainable forest development with multi-purpose goals, water conservation, carbon absorption and improving people's livelihoods.

The Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) and Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in sustainable forest development, aiming at water conservation and carbon sequestration.

In addition, Suntory PepsiCo always strives to improve product packaging to be more environmentally friendly, being the first beverage company in Vietnam to launch a product with packaging made from 100% recycled plastic (Pepsi), and a bottled water product with the lightest packaging in the global system (Aquafina).

In 2023, the company reduced approximately 5,800 tons of virgin plastic, equivalent to 23,000 tons of CO2 emissions into the environment. As the first step towards a responsible business model, Suntory PepsiCo's efforts affirm the company's role as a companion to the Government and social organizations for a more sustainable and better life.

Ms. Ngo Nu Huyen Trang, Director of Sustainable Development and Communications of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam shared: “Not only is Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam a leading enterprise in the beverage industry, it is also a pioneer in promoting sustainable development activities for the community. We believe that education is the foundation for creating sustainable change. Mizuiku is a testament to Suntory PepsiCo's continuous efforts to contribute to raising awareness and forming positive behaviors in protecting water resources in the community - especially among the young generation.”

Source: https://vov.vn/doanh-nghiep/suntory-pepsico-trai-nghiem-thien-nhien-giao-duc-hoc-sinh-ve-nguon-nuoc-post1206162.vov