Promoting recycling

Moving towards eco-design

Pernod Ricard has perfected an “eco-design” packaging solution that makes it possible to reduce packaging weight and improve recyclability at the same time. This “eco-design” solution proved to be economically and environmentally viable, while still meeting marketing and sales expectations.
Over time, a 5% average reduction in bottle weight would save approximately 30,000 tons of glass every year.

Following successful tests, the Group published a practical guide and organised two training seminars on this approach.

Pernod Ricard reduced solid waste by 20%, a savings of 32,200 tons in 2007-2008. Over the same period, the Group’s recycling rate has increased from 75 to 77%. 

Reducing the environmental impact of glass containers

• Recycling plant waste increased at all bottling facilities, reaching 90% at Ricard. Recycling measures enabled Orlando Wines in Australia to reduce its quantity of landfill waste tenfold.
  
• Chivas Brothers and Irish Distillers launched programmes to reduce the weight of glass used. Other subsidiaries have worked on optimising secondary packaging (promotional boxes, etc.).
  

• Ricard now produces packaging using biodegradable polymer materials that can be completely composted. This is an excellent alternative to traditional, petrol-based materials (mainly PVC and PET).
  
• Polystyrene, previously used to protect fragile objects in packing boxes, has been replaced by packaging made from potato or corn starch. These materials are renewable and 100% biodegradable.
  
• The use of generic boxes for Ricard brand promotion materials has become widespread. These boxes can be used for different formats and products. As a result, the use of boxes has been reduced by a factor of five.
  

Systematic selective sorting
Selective sorting for paper, cardboard, metal and plastic waste is encouraged at several administrative sites.

Recycling organic waste

The Group has launched several initiatives to promote recycling of production waste.
The volume of organic waste generated by the Group’s activities in 2007-2008 decreased by 3.8%, and 98% of the waste was reused.


Developing new procedures 

• The plant in Los Reyes, Mexico, uses organic coffee by-products, created when producing the extract for Kalhua, as animal feed. Agave fibre, a by-product of tequila production, is used to manufacture organic fertiliser. The tequila production facility in Arandas also composts its organic by-products (agave fibre and distillation residues). This organic compost is a substitute for traditional fertilisers, and may lead to a savings of €1.2m per year.
  
  
• In Ireland, the Fox and Geese plant transforms used cellulose filters into compost. As a result, it avoids producing 44 tons of landfill waste each year.
  
  
• Significant investments have made it possible to reduce the quantity of organic load in wastewater at wine cellars in Cafayatte and Graffigna in Argentina; Richmond Grove and Rowland Flat in Australia, and the distillery in Walkerville, Canada.
   
  
• The plant in Los Reyes, Mexico, uses organic coffee by-products, created when producing the extract for Kalhua, as animal feed. Agave fibre, a by-product of tequila production, is used to manufacture organic fertiliser. The tequila production facility in Arandas also composts its organic by-products (agave fibre and distillation residues). This organic compost is a substitute for traditional fertilisers, and may lead to a savings of €1.2m per year.
  
  
• In New Zealand, a system for reusing composted marcs in vineyards has significantly reduced demand for mineral fertilizers.