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Greenies Freeze Out Ben & Jerry's for Water Waste

Green-friendly company admits water-wasting practice is 'not acceptable'

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 25, 2009 4:40 PM CDT

(Newser) – Ben & Jerry’s locations around the world are wasting nearly 300,000 gallons of water per day, a News of the World investigation finds. The whimsical ice cream maker, famous for its green ethics and environmental activism, requires employees to wash scoops in sinks under constantly running water to hinder bacterial growth. But even Ben & Jerry’s is now saying the “dipping well” policy is “not acceptable.”

By keeping the taps running in its 782 stores across 25 countries, the company is wasting the equivalent daily water needs of 250,000 people in Mozambique, the News notes. “It’s not very ecological, but we are supposed to keep them on,” one frustrated employee said. A spokesman for Ben & Jerry’s promises it will roll out a new sanitation system in its UK stores by late November. No word yet on locations elsewhere.

Ben & Jerry's is in hot water because of its controversial dipping well policy.
Ben & Jerry's is in hot water because of its controversial "dipping well" policy.   (Photo: Business Wire)
Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry's ice cream speaks in Washington DC.
Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry's ice cream speaks in Washington DC.   (Getty Images)
Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's ice cream speaks in Washington DC.
Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's ice cream speaks in Washington DC.   (Getty Images)
Ben & Jerry's is in hot water because of its controversial dipping well policy.
Ben & Jerry's is in hot water because of its controversial "dipping well" policy.   (Shutter Stock)
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There is no excuse for businesses like Ben & Jerry's to waste water. Some parts of the UK have less water available per person than in Egypt, so it's essential that we don't waste water. - Dr. Paul Leinster,
Chief Executive, Environment Agency

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 15 comments
Jojo
Jul 26, 2009 12:22 PM CDT
Here is the thing. Clean water running down the drain goes to the water company and gets cleaned and recirculated. Technically there is no "waste" when you are talking about water going down a drain. Think about it. The fact that clean water gets sent down the drain is actually a good thing. It dilutes the dirty water that has to be cleaned. People are idiots.
Riffran
Jul 26, 2009 7:28 AM CDT
sorry rightthing...I aint pulling your finger....*runawaaaaaaayyyyyyy*
Riffran
Jul 26, 2009 7:27 AM CDT
BEN AND JERRY'S SUCKS....just kidding deebs :)...hmmmmm a "little" small full gallon of Cherry Garcia or Mang Mango would hit the spot..splash a little amaretto on it....*bowing to a Ben and Jerrys logo*..."WE ARE NOT WORTHY...WE ARE NOT WORTHY"....lol
 

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