MEMBER SPOTLIGHT – BELU

We are excited to welcome Sara Burns as a new member of the Belu team in Hong Kong! Sara joins Belu with a fresh perspective and enthusiasm for their sustainability mission as they continue to expand their impact globally.

Founded in 2007, Belu started with a powerful purpose: to demonstrate a better way of doing business—one that goes beyond profit to address some of the world’s most pressing problems. Belu’s ethos is simple yet profound: to change the way the world sees water. Operating as a sustainable business and social enterprise, Belu provides innovative water solutions to the Hospitality and Workplace sectors across the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

WaterAid: Empowering Communities with Clean Water

Instead of prioritizing shareholder value, Belu channels all profits towards achieving UN Global Goals 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action). This commitment is enacted through a full investment of net profits in our social impact partner, WaterAid, supporting efforts to provide marginalized communities with access to clean water, safe sanitation, and improved hygiene.

Belu initially transformed the bottled mineral water market by introducing Ethical Glass™, which are notably the lightest glass bottles and boast the smallest carbon footprint in the UK. Pioneering sustainability further, Belu was also the first company in the UK to fully adopt circular economy principles, marked by its shift to using 100% recycled plastic bottles, setting a precedent for environmental responsibility in the industry.

Belu will launch its new hot and cold tap in late 2024 for Hospitality and Workplace sectors.

Since 2015, Belu has been a dedicated leader in the movement to reduce single-use water bottle consumption through our ‘Belu Filter in Action’ initiative. This program equips businesses globally with advanced filtered water dispensers that provide hot, chilled still, and sparkling water on tap, all served in reusable glass bottles.

This initiative extends across continents, enabling businesses worldwide to adopt responsible water solutions that significantly reduce their carbon footprint. By integrating these sustainable systems, Belu not only boosts operational efficiency for companies in the Hospitality and Workplace sectors but also cultivates a culture of environmental stewardship.

Sip Sustainability with Belu

Strategic Expansion and Community Engagement

Belu’s expansion into Hong Kong in 2020 was driven by a partnership with the Upper House, aiming to replace imported single-use glass bottles with sustainable water dispensers. This move forged significant partnerships with leading hospitality groups like Mandarin Oriental and Maximal Concepts, aligning with Belu’s commitment to reducing environmental impacts and enhancing customer experience with sustainable water services.

Looking forward, Belu is poised to amplify its global impact, planning expansions into Singapore, France, the USA, and Canada. This “go big” strategy aims to replicate Belu’s successful business model by partnering with key players in the hospitality and workplace sectors, promoting sustainable practices, and reducing environmental footprints.

Despite the challenges—like the perceived higher costs and the inconvenience often associated with sustainable solutions—Belu remains passionately committed to demonstrating how eco-friendly practices can significantly enhance operational and financial efficiency. By continuously educating its partners and advocating for sustainable practices across various industries, Belu inspires businesses to adopt eco-conscious choices with ease and confidence.

Hospitality staff endorsing Belu water sectors

We deeply value Belu’s dedication to community engagement and education. Through regular workshops and training sessions, Belu nurtures a culture of sustainability among suppliers, strengthening the collective mission to promote eco-friendly practices. This collaboration not only boosts Belu’s visibility but also magnifies its impact, pushing forward the goal to revolutionize the way businesses and individuals engage with water.

Belu is more than just a company—it’s a vibrant community of visionaries fervently working to redefine global water consumption. To discover more about Belu’s transformative initiatives and explore how you can join this exciting journey, visit their website at belu.hk.

For more information, contact Sara Lee at sarab@belu.org.

If you are a foodservice provider please get in touch with us about Future Green and lets see what possibilities lie ahead in normalising sustainability.