Nestlé Waters' Poland Spring Joins with UMaine on Bio-Based Materials

"It's great to see one of Maine's strongest brands working with Maine's flagship research university to look at new opportunities that are beneficial to both the environment and the economy of the state," says Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. "Any time Maine's natural resources, the basis of our heritage industries for generations, are looked at with fresh eyes to promote innovation, it is a benefit to the entire state. Maine further secures a position in the global economy, and the industry is given an option that is better for the planet. This a great example of a strong private-public partnership."

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"The University of Maine is pioneering new renewable and sustainable wood-based materials and processes that can be used as an alternative to petroleum-derived products, making them the ideal collaborator as we strive for a low-carbon, waste-free future," adds David Tulauskas, VP and Chief Sustainability Officer, Nestlé Waters North America, parent company of Poland Spring. "Their innovative work is already showing how a Maine-based circular economy is possible, and this project will identify additional potential uses for the state's wood fiber byproducts as sustainable packaging or other products. We look forward to the potential innovative advances in packaging and other sustainability areas that may be enhanced and discovered through this collaboration benefitting the environment, the forest industry and the great state of Maine."

"The expanded use of forest-based biomass in areas such as packaging, infrastructure, equipment, novel materials and even biofuels is a key development objective for the Maine forest sector, and this initiative between Poland Spring and UMaine is a great start," says Patrick Strauch, Executive Director of the Maine Forest Products Council. "Diversifying the uses of Maine-harvested biomass is essential to the growth and sustainability of our state's forest economy. UMaine is a longstanding partner in these efforts and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with them on this project." 

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In addition to exploring alternative packaging, Poland Spring parent company NWNA has committed to achieve 25% recycled plastic across its U.S. domestic portfolio by 2021 and reach 50% by 2025. As NWNA's most iconic brand, Poland Spring has called Maine home for 175 years and announced it would be the first major bottled water brand in the U.S. to reach 100% recycled plastic across its still water portfolio by 2022. Poland Spring 1-liter, 1.5-liter, 700-mL and 20-ounce bottles are already available in 100% recycled plastic.

Over the last decade, Poland Spring has given more than $9 million to local Maine community organizations, causes and events through its Good Neighbor Grant Program and has donated more than 800,000 bottles a year to fire and rescue departments, non-profits and communities in need. As the state's fifth largest manufacturing employer, Poland Spring proudly employs nearly 900 Mainers across three bottling facilities – Poland, Hollis and Kingfield–plus ReadyRefresh^®, the direct-to-consumer home and office delivery teams.