Everything you wanted to know, and more.

Why do we have an Environmental Management System (EMS)?

• We're keen to raise awareness of, and effectively control, our possible impacts on the environment. An EMS helps us to do that.
• It's important that we increase the understanding of environmental issues for everyone who works here. We do this using a training programme which is part of our Environmental Management System.
• It's helps us as a business be more efficient - using the Environmental Management System means we can make savings for the company
• Having a system like this in place helps us to focus on the requirements of environmental legislation.

What are the benefits of Environmental Management?

As much as possible we want to do the right thing, and we hope that having systems dedicated to improving our environmental management will help to increase confidence in Highland Spring, both for our customers and the people who work here. Furthermore, sound environmental management ensures we address - and where we can, exceed - the requirements of pertinent legislation. We also believe that a focus on the environment underscores the credibility of our Company: for consumers, the trade, and everyone working at Highland Spring, in the UK and abroad.

Why do we use "single trip" rather than returnable bottles?

Returnable bottles have to be robust and heavier to withstand the extra transportation and washing required of them, and as a result, more materials and energy are used in production of the bottle. In addition, when bottles are reused repeatedly they tend to scuff, which contributes to a weakening of the bottle (as well as detracting from its presentation).

Furthermore, it's difficult to collect a high return of bottle in returnable schemes. A more effective and comprehensive system of collection is kerbside collection where bottles can be collected at the same time as other household waste is collected. However, under UK legislation governing Spring Water, the water must be bottled at source. This means that all the bottles to be refilled would have to be returned from all over the UK to the main plant in Blackford. We consider the logistics of this to be environmentally unsuitable, as it takes more energy, or fuel, to return the bottle from our customers.

To maintain our high standards of hygiene and quality, we would have to employ rigorous cleaning of all returned bottles with hot caustic washes and copious amounts of rinses to ensure no taint was left in the bottle. The disposal of the cleaning solution would be an extra impact on the environment, as would the increased use of water.
Our belief is that bottles are more likely to be fit for purpose if they are "single trip" rather than returnable. By using single trip bottles we can use fewer materials in production, and by a process of light weighting we can use significantly less material to make both the glass and PET bottles.  348 Tonnes of PET were saved in 2006 due to reduced weight PET preforms.  Glass bottles can be recycled and then incorporated into the glass for new bottles- this process uses less energy than making new glass.

Are bottles and packaging made from recycled materials?

Yes - the glass bottles can be made from up to 95% recycled glass. In 2007, Highland Spring will produce 12 million bottles containing 25% recycled PET.  Other parts of our packaging are made from differing percentages of recycled material. For more information, see our Environmental Statement.

Are your bottles recyclable?

Yes - both our plastic (PET) and glass bottles can be recycled where facilities are available. Your local council should hold details of where they can be taken in your area. Glass bottles are recycled to form cullet, which can be used in a number of applications, including foundations for roads or, indeed, in the production of new glass bottles. PET is often made into other plastic products like strapping or film. In some cases it can be used for fibres to form clothes.

Where can the glass and plastic bottles be recycled?

Glass bottles are recycled in bottle banks, which can be found in supermarket car parks and council facilities. The infrastructure for the recycling of PET is slowly developing, including kerbside collection. Contact your local council for details of recycling facilities in your area.

What do the recycled symbols mean?

Every type of plastic is marked with a recycling symbol, which contains a number corresponding to the type of plastic and often shown with letters underneath with the shortened name of the plastic. There are seven of these symbols, each one with a different number corresponding to a different type of plastic.

The symbol which appears on our bottles, with the number '1' in a triangle, stands for Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE). This type of plastic is what the bottles are made from and is often used to make containers in the soft drinks industry. The caps on the plastic (PET) bottles are made from High-density polyethylene (HDPE), which uses the symbol number '2'. This type of plastic is used because it is more durable for use as a cap.

How is the catchment area protected?

Highland Spring water comes from a natural underground source far below the Ochil Hills in Perthshire, Scotland where no farming, agricultural spraying, building or habitation is permitted within the 2000 acre catchment area. The land has been maintained on an organic basis for over 20 years; that is, it has been kept free from pesticides and pollution since that time.

As a result, Highland Spring was the first British brand of bottled water to receive organic certification from the Soil Association for its catchment area.

How much salt is in Highland Spring?

The Food Standards Agency recommends that no more than 2.4g of sodium is consumed per day.  This equates to a salt intake of no more than 6g per day, because sodium is present as sodium chloride in foods.

2.4g (grammes) is equivalent to 2400mg (milligrammes).  Highland Spring has a 9mg of sodium per litre of water.  So drinking 2 litres of Highland Spring will provide only 18 of the recommended daily intake of 2400mg: a very small proportion.  Indeed, at this level, Highland Spring is suitable for individuals requiring a low sodium diet.

When checking sodium or salt levels in other foods remember to check whether mg or g are used so that an accurate comparison can be made.

What is the pH of Highland Spring?

This is a measure of acidity.  Acids have low pH values and alkalis have high pH values.  The range is from 1 - 14, with pH 7 being neutral.

The pH of still Highland Spring is approximately 7.8 which is slightly alkaline.  As Highland Spring is a natural product the pH can vary slightly, but the range normally expected would be pH 7.6 - 8.0.

How much calcium is in Highland Spring?

Highland Spring is a low mineral content water, but our calcium level is approximately 40mg/l.  The Food Standards Agency recommended daily intake is 700mg.  Drinking 1 litre of Highland Spring will provide over 1/20th of your Recommended Daily Intake.