The company explained that it had used “tonnes of recycled concrete” for the warehouses in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Bacardi said that the demolition of six older structures at its site was carried out in order to obtain the construction waste.
According to Bacardi, it made both environmental and cost savings by recycling more than 2,300 tonnes of rubble, amounting to 150 truckloads of concrete.
“We took all the rubble from the demolition and reused it as backfill material in building our new warehouses,” said Bacardi Puerto Rico project director. “This was a zero-waste project designed to reuse steel and concrete, rather than sending material to the landfill.”
The company added that this not only eliminated landfill waste, but also reduced the need to buy new materials for the buildings.
As part of its ‘Good Spirited’ sustainability initiative, Bacardi said that it aims to eliminate landfill waste at all of its production sites by 2022.
Earlier this year, the spirits manufacturer said that it had reduced its water consumption by more than 6% in 2013, contributing to a total decrease of almost 45% since 2009.
It aims to reduce water use and greenhouse gas emissions, with a 2017 goal to cut water use by 55% and GHG emissions by 50%.
The company also explained that its sustainability initiative sets specific goals in two other 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% of the sugarcane-derived products used to make Bacardi rum from certified, sustainable sources – and 100% by 2022. This pledge from Bacardi is an industry first, according to the firm.
- 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%; the goal is to achieve a 15% reduction by 2022.
Liz Gyekye