Note: I have written about Nestlé time and time again. I will continue to do so until we defeat Nestlé’s plans to bottle spring and municipal water in Oregon. If you want to read more about this issue, start here, here, and here.
Would A Nestlé Bottling Plant Be Such A Bad Thing?
I was asked on my Facebook page recently if Nestlé’s plans for a bottling plant in Oregon is really a bad thing. Because it will create jobs, right?
Actually, it is.
It is a bad thing as it stands now. If you look at the history of water privatization by corporations, it always benefits the corporation. Some may argue that this corporation would then be investing in the community through jobs or other measures. Unfortunately in Nestlé’s case, and many other large corporations, their track record speaks volumes to what benefit Oregon would see.
That is to say, no real benefit at all.
Nestlé is infamous for targeting rural communities that are economically depressed, as Cascade Locks is. Nestlé claims there will be jobs, yet bottling water creates few jobs — each plant typically has 24 employees and of those, only 10-40% will be offered to local residents.
The prospect of the proposed 50 jobs in Cascade Locks is compelling, but (1) These jobs will also low wage, especially in comparison to other similar jobs, all dangerous, (2) Nestlé promises, yet often fails to deliver those jobs and (3) The 5 to 20 jobs potentially offered locally will do little to help this struggling community.
Water is already scarce on every continent and Oregon has already seen its share of water wars due to scarcity. We are offering to give away our precious resource for a tiny fraction of a penny on the dollar. I have to ask if it is worth it?
The negative impacts on the local watershed, roads, wildlife, and recreation could be vast and I certainly don’t trust Nestlé to prevent negative consequences. On the first day Nestlé tested their plan for fish, they killed all the fish. In that area, this should be especially worrisome. It seems that
The change in truck traffic (more than 200 trips a day at peak) on the roads will require heavy upgrades and maintenance, both of which Nestlé has stated will be the Oregon taxpayers’ responsibility. All of these things tell me that this bottling plant is most definitely not worth it, and that is even if they decide to keep a handful of jobs local.
This has turned into a serious debate for those paying the slightest bit of attention. There has been plenty of political rhetoric bandied about and if you would rather believe that all environmentalists hate jobs, rural folk and urban hipsters can never agree, or Nestlé really has mended their ways and those against this plant are a bunch of hypocrites then I suspect nothing anyone can do or say will invite discussion.
This issue is about Nestlé. It is about water. It is about Oregon. It is about all of us.
Want to voice your opinion? See my tips for contacting Governor Kitzhaber about Nestlé in Oregon.
This is an interesting issue and I’m happy you’re making people aware. I believe it’s happening in Northern Michigan as well (you may already know this since you did some research on Nestle). Although I don’t know if it’s Nestle who’s damaging Michigan’s waters or not, but one of the water bottling companies is doing it. In fact, one of the areas where I used to swim as a child is now so barren, it’s shocking. The water is just disappearing! I can’t believe these companies get away with ruining communities under the guise of job creation.
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Nestlé did a lot of damage in Mecosta County. Is that where you are from? There was a major victory by conservation groups in 2009, where Nestlé was forced to reduce the amount of water they were taking. Thankfully a group of concerned citizens were able to take them to task, but it is unfortunate it ever happened at all!
We often hear the job creation or job loss excuse whenever a company or committee wants to do something that is not in the best interests of the public at large or the planet. It gets to tiring. Thanks for this very reasoned article.
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Thank you for all you do for the fight against Nestle!
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Nestle bought a big old chunk of land in my home town as part of their Poland Springs bottling plant. Not only did many families end up having to move, but they created virtually NO JOBS! my brother was employed by them for a short time before getting laid off, which seems to be the routine. They would bring people in as “temps” and let them go before they could get benefits and then call them back later and see if they were interested in reapplying to “temp” again.
The trucks are horrible, and they have created zero driving jobs, as all of the trucks they used are outsourced and owned by different companies. They careen down the country roads at top speeds with no regard for anyone or anything. In fact, my mum was at her best friends house (right around the corner from our family home), and they were outside going for a walk with her son and her dog, and one of the Poland Spring trucks flew by going way over the speed limit and RAN OVER THEIR DOG!!!! right in front of their son, and the jerk did not even stop or pull over or apologize.
They have been horrible for the community. All they did was come in, buy families out of their homes, chop down trees to pave roads, and steal our water.
Hey,
I like the comments and what I’m hearing about making the world more green, employed, and clean. It’s interesting. Our company is a actually a recycler for Nestle. We take in some of their plastics, metals, and production scrap and we remanufacture the scrap into new marketable materials. Together with Nestle, this helps keep and make many sites landfill free thus create a greener planet. Now, would you guys think there is a solution to any of these issues with Nestle through a recycling solution? Interested to hear you thoughts, sincerely, PreServe Resources, Inc.
No, I don’t think recycling has much to do with the issue.
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