Who Owns Evian?

Evian's sustainability initiatives are among the most comprehensive in the bottled water industry, driven by Danone's broader corporate sustainability goals and the brand's B Corp certification.

100% Recycled PET Bottles: Evian achieved its goal of using 100% recycled PET for all plastic bottles across all markets. The brand announced this target in 2018 and reached it ahead of its 2025 deadline. Using rPET reduces the carbon footprint of bottles by approximately 50% compared to virgin PET. Evian continues to work on developing bio-based PET and improving cap and label recyclability.

Carbon Neutral Certification: Evian has been certified carbon neutral by Carbon Trust since 2020. The certification covers the entire product lifecycle, from source extraction through bottling, distribution, and end-of-life. The brand achieved carbon neutrality through a combination of operational reductions (renewable energy at the bottling facility, optimized logistics) and verified carbon offsets. The Evian bottling facility in Amphion-les-Bains is powered by renewable energy, including biogas generated from the local wastewater treatment plant.

Watershed Protection: The plateau de Gavot catchment area, where Evian's water originates, is protected through a partnership between Danone, local farmers, and the municipality of Evian-les-Bains. The APIEME (Association pour la Protection de l'Impluvium des Eaux Minerales d'Evian) was established in 1992 to coordinate land use and agricultural practices in the catchment zone. Farmers in the area receive support to maintain sustainable practices that protect the aquifer, including organic farming methods and restrictions on pesticide use.

Circular Packaging: Evian participates in Danone's circular packaging initiatives, including deposit return schemes in European markets and partnerships with recycling organizations. The brand has piloted returnable glass bottle programs in the hospitality sector (Evian Retire) and supports extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes for plastic packaging.

B Corp Certification: As part of Danone, Evian operates under the company's B Corp certification, which requires meeting standards for governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. Danone's B Corp status is recertified every three years, with the most recent recertification in 2023.

Carbon Trust Certification: Evian became the first major natural mineral water brand to achieve Carbon Trust carbon neutral certification in 2020.

B Corp Certification: Danone, including Evian, became the largest publicly traded company to achieve B Corp certification in 2020.

Sustainable Packaging Awards: Evian's 100% rPET bottles have been recognized by packaging industry organizations, including the WorldStar Packaging Awards and the Edie Awards for sustainability excellence.

Brand Campaigns: The "Live Young" advertising campaign, featuring babies roller-skating, won multiple advertising industry awards and became one of the most viewed viral advertisements in history, with over 100 million YouTube views.

Plastic Pollution Concerns: Despite Evian's 100% rPET achievement, the brand faces ongoing criticism from environmental groups about the environmental impact of bottled water. Organizations like Greenpeace and Break Free From Plastic argue that recycling does not address the fundamental problem of single-use packaging and that bottled water contributes to plastic pollution, particularly in countries with limited recycling infrastructure. Evian has responded by investing in collection and recycling infrastructure in markets where it operates.

Incinerator Emissions Controversy (2018): In 2018, a Swiss television investigation alleged that the Evian bottling facility's waste incinerator emitted dioxins and other pollutants above legal limits. Danone disputed the findings and stated that the incinerator operated within regulatory parameters. The controversy led to increased scrutiny of the facility's environmental practices.

Nestle Waters Contamination Scandal (2024): While not directly involving Evian, the 2024 scandal in which Nestle Waters was found to have used illegal purification treatments on several of its French mineral water brands (including Perrier and Vittel) raised questions about the integrity of the natural mineral water category. Evian was not implicated, and Danone publicly confirmed that Evian's water is not treated beyond permitted filtration. However, the scandal created reputational risk for the entire French mineral water industry.

Water Extraction Permits: Evian's water extraction is regulated by the French government, which grants permits for mineral water extraction. In periods of drought, which have become more frequent in the French Alps due to climate change, there have been calls for reduced extraction limits. Danone has argued that Evian's extraction is sustainable and that the catchment area receives sufficient precipitation, but the issue remains a point of contention with local environmental groups.