Amcor's Water Giving Project

The Water Giving Project involves collecting rain water from the roof at Amcor manufacturing sites and giving this water to the local community to address a local need. Co-workers and community groups are engaged in a collaborative process to determine how the collected water will be used at the local level. This project has been developed in recognition of the vital role that Amcor can play in engaging both employees and the local community in a project that will collect and distribute water, promote environmental sustainability and improve community wellbeing.

The aims of this project are to: 

• Conserve water by harvesting rain water. 
• Effectively use an existing resource (the roof) for the benefit of the community. 
• Engage the co-workers and the community in a collaborative process to develop a partnership and distribute the water to address a local community need. 
• Provide avenues for co-worker involvement in water conservation efforts. 
• Build strong partnerships between Amcor and other organisations around water conservation.

The implementation of the Water Giving Project into manufacturing sites was undertaken in a staged approach. The feasibility of each site is considered, taking into account: The space available for installing the tanks and the suitability of the facilities to ensure good water quality. The co-worker engagement potential – the number of co-workers to be reached, the identification of a site champion and the willingness and ability to support the process. The community engagement potential – locating and working with a partner that has the capacity to distribute the water free of charge. Four sites in Victoria were completed during 2008.

A major component of the water giving project, engagement with Amcor co-workers required a multi-pronged approach to raise awareness, share information and seek engagement. While this project enabled Amcor sites to make a contribution by saving water, it was also recognised that each co-worker could make a contribution through their household.

To engage with Amcor’s manufacturing based co-workers, the following materials were used:

• Posters.
• Incentives, including a “Think Tank” activity which invited co-workers to submit water saving ideas.
• A launch celebration attended by Amcor and its partners.
• A water engagement pack, including information on saving water and rebates. Shower head exchange program.
• Updates on water collection.

A Site Engagement Kit was developed to support the sites through the process of project implementation and engagement.