Calculating a company's carbon footprint: The impact of packaging waste and transport
For CSR managers and Facility Directors, mapping and managing corporate emissions is more important than ever. Driven by increasingly stringent European regulations such as the CSRD, organisations are required to accurately measure, monitor and report their carbon footprint.
One often overlooked source of Scope 3 emissions is the consumption of bottled water and packaged soft drinks in the workplace. By eliminating the entire supply chain associated with bottled water, organisations can take a tangible step towards reducing their Scope 3 impact.
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Calculating your carbon footprint: the first step towards a more sustainable workplace
Many organisations begin their sustainability journey by focusing on Scope 1 emissions (from buildings and company vehicles) and Scope 2 emissions (from purchased electricity). However, achieving climate targets requires a comprehensive view of the entire value chain and an accurate calculation of the organisation's total carbon footprint.
The greatest impact often lies within Scope 3: the indirect emissions generated through the purchase of goods and services. Traditional bottled water contributes to these emissions through the production of packaging and the transport required to deliver it to your workplace.
Switching to a centralised mains-fed drinking water system is therefore a simple and effective way to measurably reduce your Scope 3 emissions in the workplace.
Bottled water vs. a workplace drinking water system: waste and transport
Choosing pre-packaged drinks comes with an extensive logistical and environmental supply chain. As a result, the impact of bottled water extends far beyond the bottle itself.
The complete lifecycle of bottled water includes:
- Transport: Trucks continuously deliver full crates and collect empty bottles or plastic waste.
- Cooling and storage: Storing and chilling large quantities of bottled water requires additional electricity and valuable storage space.
- Waste processing: Even recyclable packaging requires energy-intensive collection and recycling processes, adding to the overall environmental impact.
Delen Private Bank experienced this impact first-hand. During the renovation of its historic townhouses in Antwerp, reducing waste and transport became a key priority. Evert Saladin, Logistics Facility Manager at Delen Private Bank, explains:
“To reduce the amount of waste we generate, we wanted to eliminate the use of PET and glass bottles, which created a significant burden in terms of both waste and transport. We installed several taps dispensing still and sparkling water in the company restaurant, as well as in all kitchenettes serving our meeting rooms. From now on, every new office will be equipped with an AQUALEX system, and we are gradually rolling them out across our existing buildings. From a logistics perspective, a mains-fed drinking water system is also far more efficient than bottled water.”
– Evert Saladin, Logistics Facility Manager, Delen Private Bank
How office water coolers can instantly reduce your carbon footprint
By filtering, chilling and carbonating mains water directly at the source, office water coolers eliminate the need for external beverage logistics. The result is a measurable reduction in transport, packaging waste and CO₂ emissions that can easily be included in your sustainability reporting.
HR services provider Randstad is a great example of the impact this can have. By replacing traditional bottled water dispensers with a centralised mains-fed drinking water solution, the company not only reduced logistical and hygiene-related challenges but also achieved a significant reduction in waste.
Christelle Mertz, Facilities Coordinator at Randstad, shares the results:
“The results at Randstad were almost immediate. We now reduce our packaging waste by 65% every year, equivalent to around 600,000 plastic bottles of 0.5 litres. Not to mention the cost savings and the online access to service reports, which enable us to manage our facilities more efficiently.”
Curious about the other benefits of a premium water cooler? Discover the five key advantages for your workplace.
Calculating your carbon footprint: the impact for an organisation with 100 employees
Wondering what this means on a larger scale? Figures from the AQUALEX Impact Calculator for an organisation with 100 employees demonstrate the environmental impact of traditional bottled water.
The annual environmental footprint of bottled water for 100 employees
- 6,471 kg of CO₂ emissions: Producing and transporting bottled water generates significant emissions—equivalent to approximately five return flights between Brussels and Qatar for one person.
- 750 kg of plastic waste: A substantial amount of packaging waste that needs to be processed every year, comparable to around 250 full recycling bags.
- 69,167 kWh of energy consumption: Producing, transporting and cooling bottled water requires a considerable amount of energy, comparable to the average annual electricity consumption of 24 Belgian households.
- 75,000 litres of water: The production process for bottled water also consumes a significant amount of water, equivalent to 375 fully filled bathtubs.
A professional mains-fed drinking water system can significantly reduce this impact, helping you take a concrete step towards a more sustainable workplace and a lower carbon footprint.
Calculate the savings for your organisation
Curious about the impact for your organisation? Our online Impact Calculator estimates how much CO₂ emissions, plastic waste and transport you can save based on the number of employees. In just a few clicks, you'll receive a clear, data-driven overview of the environmental benefits you can include in your sustainability reporting.
Conclusion: make sustainability measurable with an office drinking water system
Calculating a company's carbon footprint requires taking a critical look at everyday business operations. The way you provide drinking water in the workplace also plays a role. Continuing to purchase, cool and dispose of bottled water no longer aligns with a forward-looking sustainability strategy.
By switching to an integrated mains-fed drinking water system, you not only reduce your Scope 3 emissions but also improve the efficiency of your day-to-day operations. You'll benefit from measurable results for your ESG reporting while reducing the logistical burden on your workplace. A professional drinking water system is therefore a simple, well-considered step towards a more sustainable working environment.
Curious about the impact this could have on your organisation? Request a free consultation or a tailored quotation with no obligation.
