Suntory will partner with Earthwatch Australia to deliver water education programs across South-East Queensland schools.
The beverage giant will fund the $100,000 “Mizuiku Program” with the environmental NGO creating the pilot initiative to be rolled out for primary school students.
Earthwatch Australia will focus on addressing local water challenges in Ipswich and surrounding areas, where Suntory has built a $400m production plant about 40km south-west of Brisbane.
It is aimed at engaging students in their final three years of primary school and teachers can provide hands-on activities that promote awareness of water sustainability.
Suntory Oceania Corporate Affairs Director, Sophie Lodge, said the company was thrilled to bring the company’s water education program to Australia.
“Suntory’s respect for water has been central to our business since it was founded in Japan over 125 years ago,” Lodge said.
“Over the last 20 years, our Mizuiku water education program has been delivered to more than 580,000 participants worldwide and we are proud to extend its reach to thousands of South-East Queensland students.”
Students will attend workshops to learn about the water cycle, conservation, flood and drought mitigation, recovery and resilience through hands-on experiences tied to the school curriculum.
Earthwatch Australia CEO, Fiona Wilson, said the program will aim to address environmental issues by empowering students to become water conservation advocates.
“Our team has worked with Council to identify key environmental challenges that the Ipswich region faces,” Wilson said.
Schools will be able to apply for the program through the Earthwatch website.
Suntory completed its 17-hectare Ipswich production facility last year and the carbon neutral site includes 14km of solar panels, a biomass boiler and an agreement with Queensland’s Cleanco to produce over 11 GWH of energy.
It is expected to be officially opened mid-2025 in line with the commencement of alcohol production of Suntory’s RTD portfolio of brands including -196, Canadian Club and Jim Beam.