Gove pats Pernod Ricard on the back for green efforts

By Rob Brown

Published: 08 June, 2018

Pernod Ricard has had a pat on the back from UK environment secretary Michael Gove after 500 of its staff spent the day clearing rubbish from river banks and beaches across the UK.

To mark World Oceans Day today, teams from Pernod Ricard UK, Chivas Brothers and the company’s global travel retail division got involved, removing rubbish from a number of locations and recording their findings for research into sources of contamination.

In Scotland, teams helped remove weeds and debris from the banks of the Clyde and the Deveron to help safeguard the rivers’ wildlife. In London, employees helped make so-called ‘rain gardens’ – natural filtration beds that transfer clean water back into the watercourse.

“Congratulations Pernod Ricard on making this significant contribution to help our natural environment,” said Gove. “We all have a responsibility to our environment and this simple yet effective initiative is a fine example to other large businesses.

“We want more companies to say no to unnecessary single use plastics. Through our 25 Year Environment Plan we have committed to eliminating all avoidable plastic waste and we will continue to take decisive action to protect our precious environment.”

The activities were part of Pernod Ricard’s Responsib’All Day, an annual global event which sees 18,500 employees from around the world dedicate time and resources to support the group’s year-long global sustainability commitments.

The business's aim is to support the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals: "Clean Water and Sanitation’ and ‘Life on Land’. The company has also taken the step of eradicating all single use plastic from its operations.

“We were proud to ban the use of plastic straws and stirrers in our business earlier this year but know there is more we can do,” said Laurent Pillet, managing director of Pernod Ricard UK. “All of our colleagues’ efforts on Responsib’All Day to clear beaches and rivers of debris and pollution is just a small part of our commitment.”

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