Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam implements years-long water conservation program

The program, launched in 2004 by the Suntory Group in Japan, is an educational initiative to raise awareness of water resources protection. To contribute to countries where the group operates, Suntory Group chose Vietnam as the first country outside Japan to expand the program since 2015.

The “Mizuiku – I Love Clean Water” program aims to protect water resources, the 6th of the 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations in Vietnam, demonstrating a strong effort and commitment to water resource protection and the sustainable development of the Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam.

A national water resources report by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment forecasts that by 2030, the demand for water for economic and household purposes will be about 122 billion m3/year, 1.5 times higher than at present.

“”The company continues to implement the program to address the country’s water resource challenge in alignment with the government’s policies and directions,” Vice President Corporate Affairs of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam, Do Thai Vuong said.

Do Thai Vuong awards scholarships to disadvantaged students at the opening ceremony of the “Mizuiku – I love clean water” 2023 program. Photo by Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam

Implemented in Vietnam for the past 8 years, the program has made a huge impact on the community with activities to raise awareness and provide equipment for access to clean water.

Over 2.6 million people have benefited from the program, including more than 141,000 primary students participating in 3,728 classes on saving and preserving clean water, and nearly 3,924 teachers and volunteers nationwide.

In its 9th year, the program will be expanded with more activities added under the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Training as co-chair. The program will include reviewing and approving program materials and supporting teaching guides for elementary school students in extracurricular programs at primary schools nationwide.

The program “Mizuiku – I Love Clean Water” 2023 kicked off in March. Photo by Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam

The program offers training courses for over 5,000 teachers at 300 schools, and 6,000 classes for nearly 210,000 students in grades 3 and 4 across six provinces and cities.

Twenty clean water projects have been implemented to improve sanitation in schools in several localities, including Lang Son, Hanoi, Da Nang, Dak Nong, Ho Chi Minh City, and Vinh Long.

As part of its collaboration with the Central Council of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam has signed a cooperation agreement with the Forest Protection Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to organize extracurricular activities for Vietnamese children to experience forests and national parks. These activities are designed to spread awareness of protecting forest resources and the preserving of clean water sources for young generations.

The signing ceremony of the cooperation agreement between Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam and the Ministry of Education and Training.Photo by Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam

The report by the environment ministry also highlights several challenges related to water resources in Vietnam, including a lack of information and databases on water resources for management.

In addition, Vietnam’s water sources mostly comes from neighboring countries, giving it little control of the sources. Access to clean water for production and daily usage remains relatively low.

“‘Mizuiku – I Love Clean Water’ program will help address these challenges. Through the program, Suntory PepsiCo affirms its role as a leading beverage brand that respects the environment and people’s pursuit of a better life,” a Suntory PepsiCo’ representative said.