GOOD FOOD, EVERY DAYâ„¢ H.J. Heinz Company

34 | HEINZ Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2005
Commitment to the
Environment
Building on our proud reputation for leadership in product purity, we are
similarly committed to protecting the quality of the environment. We recognize
the impact our food processing operations have on global and local environments.
In response, each Heinz affiliate, in every country where we do business, has
established programs to review our environmental impact and to safeguard
the environment when and where possible.
The Heinz Global Environmental Policy
provides common standards for all of our
facilities and helps to ensure that environmental
safeguards are incorporated into
our operations. Accordingly, this policy
allows for the protection of the environment
and leads to improved manufacturing
efficiencies and reduced costs. Every
Heinz manufacturing location around the
world subscribes to the following principles:
• Implementation of an Environmental
Management System (EMS).
• Compliance with applicable legal
requirements — as the minimum
standard.
• Establishment of annual EMS
objectives and targets to drive
continuous improvement.
• Reduction in environmental impact
through the efficient use of energy, raw
materials, water and packaging.
• Continuous training and education to
increase employee awareness of their
role in environmental control.
• Supplier and contractor commitment
and partnership to understand the
environmental impact of their operations
and to work with Heinz to identify and
reduce these effects.
• Continuous assessment of environmental
management and performance.
Supplier and Contractor Commitment: A Partnership
Of note: As the only U.S.-based multinational food company member of the Dow
Jones Sustainability Group Index (North America)*, we must meet criteria on a
variety of subjects that are of concern to not only our stockholders, but also to all
those who are concerned with the environment. Water use certainly is a concern,
particularly in areas where our growers must combat arid conditions. To avoid
water waste, we have begun using a process called drip irrigation, which delivers
a steady supply of moisture close to the ground, effectively nourishing plants
without quick evaporation.
* Dow Jones started the North American index last year after it acknowledged
that U.S.-based multinationals are at a disadvantage relative to European-based
multinationals as far as sustainability and CSR are concerned.
An example of how Heinz works with suppliers to reduce water use in crop production:
In Portugal and Greece, Heinz is increasing the use of drip irrigation. For the
2003 growing season, for example, drip irrigation accounted for 98 percent of
crop irrigation, with 1 percent by sprinkler irrigation and 1 percent furrow (open
flow) in Portugal. In Greece, 85 percent was by drip irrigation and 15 percent by
sprinkler irrigation.
In Australia, drip irrigation has been the preferred and virtually exclusive irrigation
method for Heinz producers for the past several years.
In California, drip irrigation also is replacing the traditional method of furrow
irrigation. Although still in the minority of processes used by the industry, drip
irrigation for tomato growing has doubled each of the past three years (to 2004)
in key tomato production areas. It currently represents about 15 to 20 percent
of the total acreage, and another major expansion is planned for the upcoming
season. In California, Heinz contracts directly with growers for only 25 percent
of the total tomato requirements from this area, relying upon other tomato
processors for its requirements. Heinz works closely with these suppliers to
help ensure that they are promoting the best practices.