Water is critically important for all food processing, where it is primarily used for sterilisation, washing and general hygiene.
As part of our meat production process, water is accessed through wells on our sites, the public water supply and by harvesting rainwater. We are signatories to WRAP’s Food and Drink Pact and the Water Roadmap, which sets out pathways to address collective challenges in protecting water for food supply, nature and communities. The food industry vision is for 50%of the UK’s fresh food to be sourced from areas with sustainable water management.
All production sites will be evaluated against a variety of initiatives such as rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse, with suitable projects rolled out by 2030, and water usage intensity will be reduced year on year.
Our production sites are ISO certified for environmental management (Dawn Meats and Dunbia) and real-time performance is observed across the business through our Management System, with water metering systems in place to monitor consumption across site operations (e.g. Wastewater treatment plants, washing activities, food production, livestock welfare and amenities). Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are agreed and progress is shared through monthly calls, site reports and site operations meetings. This communication strategy provides insights into opportunities for improvement across our sites. As per our Environmental Sustainability Policy (Dawn Meats and Dunbia) we are committed to continuously achieving water intensity reductions.
We continuously optimise the efficient use of water across our sites through ongoing investment in technology, data management and online metering platforms to provide real-time information on water usage and allow for wastage and anomalies in water consumption to be promptly identified and rectified. We have invested in several reduction projects including rainwater harvesting, low flow steriliser units, solenoid controls and upgrading washing equipment.
Across all sites, a variety of wastewater treatment techniques such as screening, Dissolved Air Flotation units and biological and chemical treatment are implemented to achieve high quality treated wastewater. At several sites, greywater is recycled to minimise overall water consumption. We regularly review best available and upcoming technologies to ensure continued improvements are implemented.
Employees are engaged on how their actions impact water performance, and training is provided to maintain a culture of accountability across our sites. Awareness campaigns on the importance of water conservation are regularly arranged. These take the form of toolbox talks, PIT meetings, training and directed reviews when opportunities for improvements are identified.
Tripe Water Recycling Unit
At Slane, Ireland
A tripe water recycling unit was installed to capture, filter and reuse water from the cleaning process, reducing overall water demand on site.
Since commissioning, average water consumption has decreased by 84m³ per week, representing a 31% reduction compared with pre-installation levels. Reduced water use also lowers effluent volumes and disposal costs, delivering both environmental and operational benefits.
Spiral Freezer Wash Cycle Reduction
At Carroll’s Cross, Ireland
The site optimised cleaning regimes for a spiral freezer by introducing shorter rinse and sanitisation cycles while maintaining hygiene standards.
This reduced wash time by 62.8 minutes and cut weekly water use by 8m³, delivering annual savings of 436.8m³.The change also reduced chemical usage and freed up operator time, improving overall process efficiency.
Tap Aerator Installation
At Cardington, England
Tap aerators were installed at handwashing stations to reduce water flow while maintaining hygiene performance after high water flow rates were identified on-site.
This resulted in a significant reduction in flow rates and overall water consumption, demonstrating a low-cost, high-impact efficiency improvement.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
At Carroll’s Cross, England
The site upgraded its wastewater treatment system from an integrated constructed wetland to a fully mechanical, purpose-built treatment plant to improve discharge performance and ensure compliance with EPA limits.
The new, fully automated system enables tighter control of key operating conditions, including flow rates, pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen levels. This allows for more consistent and efficient treatment of wastewater across site operations.
Storm Water Upgrade
At Kilbeggan, Ireland
The site upgraded its storm water drainage system to improve control of surface water and reduce the risk of uncontrolled discharge during heavy rainfall events.
Previously, stormwater was discharged directly to a nearby river with limited flow regulation. The new system collects runoff from hardstanding areas and routes it through an oil interceptor to remove contaminants before being stored and released in a controlled manner.