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Dole Food Company's New Millennium banana packing plant in Costa Rica has been recognised during World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden.

The company's water conservation case study received an honourable mention from a jury drawn from selected members of the World’s Water Week Scientific Program.

The news follows last week's announcement that Bananito, a Dole banana farm also located in Costa Rica, has received a 'Plan A' farming award from UK retailer Marks & Spencer.

In May, representatives of the World Water Week Scientific Program Committee chose finalists from over 600 submissions to be presented in Stockholm.

Last week, 98 organisations, mainly representing the research departments of renowned universities from all other the world, introduced their water-related initiatives at World Water Week.

Presentations consisted of a case study poster displayed throughout the course of the week, while representatives of each project were available to respond to questions from attendees.

Dole's project was among three entries this year to receive an honourable mention, being judged on several research criteria and formal presentation.

The Dole New Millennium Packing Plant, which apparently reduces water use by a factor of 10 and energy use by 50 per cent, was introduced earlier this year by Dole in Costa Rica.

'It was impressive to compete with so many talented people and projects from research organisations from all over the world,' commented Sylvain Cuperlier, Dole's vice-president of worldwide corporate responsibility and sustainability.

'Even though the New Millennium packing plant was developed with the support of several departments within Dole, including the research department, the involvement of our workers has been crucial to the development of this new process,' he added. 'This is the reason why this recognition, given by the scientific community, is very important for us.'

Derk Kuiper, executive director of the Water Footprint Network, of which Dole has been a member since 2009, said: 'The Water Footprint Network congratulates Dole for the reduction of water use in the banana packing process achieved with the project presented in the World Water Week 2010 in Stockholm.

'We are happy to learn that Dole will use the standard water footprint method of the Water Footprint Network to understand the water use and impacts of the full process of banana cultivation.'