Who Owns Aqua?

Danone achieved B Corp certification for its global operations in 2025, covering Aqua along with all other Danone brands. Danone was one of the first major multinational food companies to attain the B Corp designation across its full corporate group.

Aqua has publicly committed to achieving 100% circularity for its plastic packaging in Indonesia, with a stated goal of recovering more plastic from the environment than it produces. Aqua's actual performance against this target has been disputed by environmental organizations, as detailed in the Recalls & Controversies section.

Danone publishes an annual Integrated Annual Report that includes sustainability metrics for water usage, packaging circularity, and carbon emissions across all brands including Aqua. Danone's water stewardship programs include watershed protection projects in the Ciburial and Kubang catchment areas in West Java, where several Aqua production facilities are located.

Aqua holds SNI (Standar Nasional Indonesia) certification for drinking water quality, the Indonesian national standard for bottled water, as required of all bottled water brands sold in Indonesia.

Danone's B Corp certification (2025) applies to Aqua as part of the Danone corporate group. The B Corp designation is administered by B Lab, a U.S.-based nonprofit.

Aqua has received recognition from the Indonesian Ministry of Environment for its AQUA Peduli program, a community-based waste collection initiative operating in several Indonesian cities. No independently verified industry award data is available for Aqua beyond these governmental and certification recognitions.

Aqua has faced significant controversies related to plastic pollution, environmental impact, and sustainability claims, reflecting the broader challenges facing the bottled water industry in Southeast Asia and globally.

Plastic Pollution Leadership (2024): Aqua was identified as Indonesia's largest plastic polluter according to a comprehensive river litter audit conducted by environmental NGO Sungai Watch. The audit found that Aqua bottles were the most common type of trash found in Indonesian rivers, accounting for 13% of plastic waste in some waterways. This finding was particularly notable given Aqua's B Corp certification and public sustainability commitments, creating significant tension between the brand's environmental claims and its actual environmental impact.

Plastic Offsetting Project Suspension (2024): Danone's plastic offsetting project in Indonesia, which was part of Aqua's sustainability strategy, was suspended following community allegations. The project, registered under Verra's plastic credit programme, was suspended after complaints that a recycling facility built by a local partner in Bali was constructed illegally close to residential areas without proper community consultation. The facility was accused of impacting community health and breaching housing regulations.

Environmental Justice Concerns: Indonesian environmental campaigners criticized plastic offsetting projects like Danone's as attempts to avoid addressing the root causes of plastic pollution. Groups like the Plastic Diet Movement argued that companies should focus on reducing plastic production rather than investing in removal schemes. The Indonesian government has set a target for 30% waste reduction by 2025, putting pressure on major plastic users like Aqua to reform their practices.

Bali's Biggest Polluter Label: Environmental NGOs have specifically identified Aqua as Bali's biggest plastic polluter, raising questions about the brand's environmental claims versus its actual impact. This designation has created tension between Aqua's marketing as a sustainable water provider and its role in contributing to plastic pollution in popular tourist destinations and local communities.

Circular Packaging Claims Scrutiny: Aqua's commitment to achieving 100% circularity by recovering more plastic from the environment than it uses by 2025 has faced scrutiny from environmental groups. Critics argue that such claims may be misleading given the brand's continued production of single-use plastic bottles and the challenges of implementing effective recycling infrastructure in Indonesia.

Community Health Impact: The suspended plastic offsetting project highlighted concerns about the health impacts of plastic recycling facilities on local communities. Residents near the Samtaku Jimbaran facility in Bali reported health issues related to the facility's operations, raising questions about the environmental justice implications of plastic waste management projects.

Sustainability Certification Controversy: Aqua's B Corp certification has been questioned by environmental groups given its role as Indonesia's largest plastic polluter. Critics argue that the certification may not adequately account for the full environmental impact of single-use plastic packaging and the brand's contribution to plastic pollution in waterways and communities.

Water Resource Management: Aqua has faced questions about the sustainability of extracting and bottling water resources in Indonesia, particularly in regions facing water scarcity. Environmental groups have raised concerns about the long-term impact of commercial water extraction on local water tables and community access to clean water resources.

Regulatory Compliance Issues: The plastic offsetting project suspension highlighted potential regulatory compliance issues in Aqua's sustainability initiatives. The facility's construction without proper permits and community consultation demonstrated gaps in the company's due diligence processes for environmental projects.

Consumer Trust Challenges: The controversies have created challenges for Aqua in maintaining consumer trust, particularly among environmentally conscious consumers who expect sustainable practices from B Corp-certified brands. The gap between Aqua's sustainability messaging and its environmental impact has led to increased scrutiny from consumers and advocacy groups.