Hamilton, Bermuda-based Bacardi Ltd. understands how crucial recycling is on the island home of the world’s largest rum distillery, which is based in Catano, Puerto Rico. Every year the Bacardi rum facility recycles more than 4 million pounds of material.
“Here, we recycle everything we can from paper, plastic, metal, aluminum, cardboard, even electronics," said Lissette Sepulveda, environmental health and safety coordinator for Bacardi in Puerto Rico, in a statement.
As part of Bacardi’s “Good Spirited” sustainability program, the company aims to eliminate landfill waste at all of its production sites by 2022. Protecting the environment where it operates is a cornerstone of the company’s heritage and tradition, and Bacardi employees view the mission as one of necessity and also of great pride, the company says.
“We started transforming the landscaping debris and using it as compost," Sepulveda added. “This is waste that is not going to go to the landfill, so it's very good for our local environment.”
The company has been tracking its global impacts on the environment since 2006, and since then Bacardi has reduced energy use by 25 percent, supported by a 48 percent decrease in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Bacardi rum production, it adds.
Building on current programs that reduce the company's impact on the environment, the Bacardi Ltd. “Good Spirited” global sustainability program sets specific goals in three areas:
· Responsible sourcing: Bacardi strives to obtain all raw materials and packaging from sustainably sourced, renewable or recycled materials while maintaining or enhancing the economic status of growers and suppliers. By 2017, the goal is to obtain 40 percent of the sugarcane-derived products used to make Bacardi rum from certified, sustainable sources and reach 100 percent by 2022.
· Global packaging: Bacardi commits to use eco-design to craft sustainability into its brand packaging and point-of-sale materials. By 2017, Bacardi plans to reduce the weight of its packaging by 10 percent and achieve 15 percent by 2022.
· Operational efficiencies: Bacardi continues to focus on reducing water use and GHG emissions and plans to cut water use by 55 percent and GHG emissions by 50 percent by 2017.
To learn more about Bacardi Ltd. and its “Good Spirited: Building a Sustainable Future” environmental initiative for sourcing, packaging and operational efficiencies across the entire Bacardi family of premium spirits brands, visit www.bacardilimited.com/good-spirited.
