In May we celebrate World Recycling Day, a date designated by the United Nations Organization (UN) for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO), with the aim of raising awareness about the importance of treating waste properly, to contribute to slowing climate change, minimizing its impact while protecting the environment.
On this subject, and in accordance with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), of the 0.95 kilograms of waste generated daily by each Mexican, 32% corresponds to packaging waste that can be recycled.
The recycling industry for these materials in Mexico has grown enormously thanks to the value placed on them. A clear example of this is PET, which represents approximately 3% of the total waste generated in the country. It is characterized by its high level of recovery and recyclability; this material has the capacity to have multiple useful lives through its implementation or transformation in various applications, in addition to being a source of income for millions of families.
In this context, in recent years we have seen a growth in the participation of companies in sustainability issues in our country, as is the case of the Mexican Coca-Cola Industry (IMCC), which is promoting a circular economy in which every bottle is recycled, highlighting the importance of combined efforts to achieve this. It has also been promoting, for over 18 years, the creation of spaces to improve the living conditions of 35,000 recyclers and their families who contribute daily to removing waste from the environment.
A nationwide investment of 11 billion pesos has recently been announced by the IMCC to promote returnability, collection, and recycling initiatives; Bepensa is contributing a portion of this investment to increase collection and recycling capacity by 50% in the Yucatan Peninsula by 2022. This will be achieved in partnership with collectors in Isla Mujeres and Holbox, in addition to the implementation of five collection centers in Cancun, Cozumel, Campeche, Chetumal, and Playa del Carmen-Tulum. These centers will be operated by PetStar, a company in which Bepensa has been a shareholder since 2011 and is recognized for owning the largest food-grade PET recycling plant in the world in Toluca.
PetStar is currently capable of recycling 3.1 billion PET bottles, equivalent to 6 out of every 10 of those placed on the market by its shareholders. Its goal is to progressively recover 10 out of every 10 bottles by 2030, in addition to incorporating up to 50% recycled material in all its packaging.
PET bottles made with this recycled resin from other bottles are not disposable, as they are the product of a circular economy model in which they can be reused countless times, generating significant social, environmental, and economic value that positively impacts our country. The resin produced by PetStar benefits 1,400 micro, small, and medium-sized collection points (MSMEs) throughout Mexico dedicated to the recovery of recyclable materials, free from child labor, and promoting a circular economy for packaging, significantly reducing the carbon footprint, even achieving carbon neutrality, as PetStar achieved in 2020.
Properly separating waste contributes to environmental protection and optimizes its reuse. For this reason, over 10 years ago, Bepensa, through its Foundation, created the ReQPET project on the Yucatán Peninsula. This ongoing PET collection program fosters a recycling culture and habits based on the proper disposal of PET containers. Currently, this program has over 700 collection points located in schools, associations, businesses, and institutions, in addition to important strategic alliances with various government sectors and promoting social development by supporting causes such as the Recyclathon with the Red Cross on the Yucatán Peninsula.
The commitment to providing products and services of the highest quality, while continuing to work and invest in becoming more sustainable and strengthening the circular economy, promoting returnability, recycling, and inclusive material recovery, make Bepensa a truly Socially Responsible Company, contributing to being part of the solution and promoting collaborative partnerships with society and government.
