Ardo CSR rapport 2023 - Flipbook - Page 35
We are Ardo
The path to a more
sustainable food system
Minimal environmental
impact
Agronomy
MIMOSA+
Food safety, quality
and innovation
Respect for
our employees
Relationship with
our stakeholders
Good governance
Closing the hydrological cycle
Ardo is committed to implementing high standards of water
stewardship. During each production step, we focus on minimising the
consumption and maximising the reuse of water.
In Ardooie, Belgium, for example, we have successfully recycled up to
94% of the water entering our facilities through wastewater treatment
over the last three years. The water used for processing the vegetables
is collected and purified in our wastewater treatment plant. The
purified water is then reused for washing the vegetables coming from
the fields. The remaining water is stored in a 150,000 m³ water basin,
which is used to irrigate the 500 ha of fields of 51 growers surrounding
the factory through a 23 km long underground network.
In Ardooie, the purified waste water from
the Ardo site is pumped into a 150 million liter reservoir
In Geer, the washing water is purified in an on-site anaerobic wastewater
treatment plant and stored in a unique 35 ha wide nature reserve
In Geer, Belgium, the washing water is purified in an on-site anaerobic
wastewater treatment plant and then stored in a unique 35 ha
wide nature reserve. The reserve provides shelter to more than 200
species of birds and is managed by Ardo, in partnership with producer
organisation Apligeer and nature organisation Natagora. During the dry
season, a big part of this process water is used for the irrigation of the
1,200 ha of vegetable crops surrounding the factory.
“Because of the lack of groundwater surrounding our farm,
we used to have water shortages in the dry season. Thanks
to the irrigation project, we no longer have that problem.
Today, the water arrives at the field at the right pressure,
with a known quality and when needed.”
In our plants in Gourin and Le Moustoir, France, the purified water is
not stored, but is used directly to irrigate the local growers’ fields.
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Rik Delameilleure Farmer and user of the Ardooie irrigation network
