Sociedade da Água de Monchique (SAM) releases its first Sustainability Report, being the only company in the mineral water sector in Portugal to do so.
Regarding 2022, the document that is now made public and that is available for consultation at www.aguamonchique.pt, notes the results achieved and the efforts undertaken by the company in those that are the fundamental axes of an ambitious sustainable development plan: people , climate, ethics and innovation.
“Despite the complex challenges we faced during 2022, we have not slowed down in our efforts to pursue our comprehensive commitments to sustainability. Rather on the contrary. With the commitment of all employees, we continue to execute our strategy, with a direct impact on all our stakeholders and, as such, on society in general, always focusing on how to better serve our Monchique Lovers”, says Vítor Hugo Gonçalves, CEO of Sociedade da Água de Monchique (SAM).
From an environmental point of view and among the numerous initiatives developed by SAM over the last few years, the consumption of energy coming exclusively from renewable sources, the integration and support of various circular economy initiatives, the management of industrial activity in balance with nature, the incorporation of 30% rPET in its bottles, anticipating European directives by eight years or the introduction on the market of the first 100% recycled and recyclable bottle.
Employees are also the target of constant attention by the Sociedade da Água de Monchique. Hiring an HR and Happiness director, promoting a balance between professional and personal life, offering health insurance, investing in personal and professional development and enhancement, flexible working hours and implementing remote work , equal opportunities and inclusion, with 40% of leadership positions currently held by women, are an example of this.
Open, transparent and socially responsible management is yet another of Água Monchique's concerns highlighted in the document.
The Report then presents the action plan until 2025 and the commitments assumed by SAM in each of the axes considered essential for the company's sustainability in the short, medium and long term and which include developing people, acting for the climate, innovating to impact and be transparent and fair.
Setting the motto on sustainability, strengthening the company's values and mission, quality and differentiation and continuous innovation, Vítor Hugo Gonçalves highlights “the need to sustain our daily activity on a set of principles, values and rules of action shared by all our employees, partners, customers and Monchique Lovers, as essential for the future of Água Monchique”, he says.
With regard to People, SAM considers it fundamental to value the relationship with employees, to encourage their professional and personal development, guaranteeing equal opportunities and promoting diversity, inclusion and balance between personal and professional life, with a very specific emphasis in mental health care and attention.
And in this “struggle” for sustainability, Climate assumes special importance. Thus, the company that owns the only Portuguese hyperalkaline water proposes to guarantee, by 2025, energy neutrality and self-sustainability, by increasing the production of 50% renewable energy to 100%, reducing the consumption of electricity by 15%, promoting sustainable mobility with 30% of the fleet equipped with less polluting vehicles, with the ultimate goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
Training all employees in eco-driving or increasing measures that considerably improve waste management policies, with particular focus on waste management and recycling processes, are some of the measures listed.
Innovation has been at the top of SAM's agenda for many years. “Bringing the most innovative solutions to each customer and continuing with our mission of promoting the health and well-being of people in harmony with environmental preservation is our main purpose”, says the person in charge, highlighting the commitment to years to increase by 20% the number of products and services developed and by 10% internal and external partnerships, national and international, with regard to R&D in bottle recycling, innovative brands for packaging and in innovative dermocosmetic products, always with a constant focus on digitalizing processes and procedures.
The Sustainability Report also identifies key themes that result from the intersection between the internal and external perspectives of Água de Monchique, such as mental health and well-being, diversity and inclusion, responsible business, respect for the environment and innovation, whose impact on the company's performance and activity is measurable.
The CEO of Sociedade da Água de Monchique undertakes to annually publish the company's performance in terms of sustainability, covering all its dimensions. “We will monitor the goals assumed each year, fulfilling the pact of constantly being accountable to our community, which includes our employees, customers, suppliers, partners and everyone in general. We know that it is through the execution of our Purpose and our Values that we are and will be able to fulfill the mission of protecting the environment and improving people's lives and well-being”, says Vítor Hugo Gonçalves.
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