The move builds on the site's existing use of waste sawdust from the local timber industry, a source of renewable bioenergy, to help fuel its boiler.

The move comes as Nestlé Australia partners with CWP Renewables to make its first renewable power purchase agreement (PPA), which will see all Nestlé sites make the switch to 100 per cent renewable electricity.

The 10-year agreement covers Nestlé's six Australian factories, two distribution centres, three corporate offices, 20 retail boutiques, and laboratory.

Across all Nestlé sites in Australia, the switch to renewable electricity will see the company avoid around 73,000i tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

The switch brings the company one step closer to reducing its net emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.

"The team here in Smithtown are so proud that the company is accelerating its efforts to achieving net zero emissions with the switch to 100 per cent renewable electricity," said Nestlé Smithtown Factory Manager Mathew Oram.

"As we continue to invest in ways to reduce our environmental impact, it's not just an investment for the factory but an investment for the future of our community."

The move to source 100 per cent certified renewable electricity is just one of a number of ambitious sustainability targets across the board as part of Nestlé's plan to achieve net zero.

"We are exploring every aspect of our business to identify where we can reach net zero, and we've developed a detailed, time-bound action plan to achieve this - Nestle's Net Zero Roadmap."

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