Grupo Cepas - Sustainability

Sustainability

Enviromentally Commited

The preservation of our environment and a rational, careful use of natural resources at every stage of the production process are a part of the policies and identity of GRUPO CEPAS as a company.

At GRUPO CEPAS, we work to attain an ongoing balance in the use of resources throughout the production processes, with a special focus on the preservation of our environment and deep care for the social and economic welfare of the communities with whom our company interacts. This essential principle is the foundation of initiatives, actions, and programs that seek to preserve our environment and make a positive contribution wherever we operate.

Among our most relevant initiatives is our work towards reducing the use of PET materials, waste-water treatment, the generation of clean energies, our recycling programs and circular economy practices, along with donations and contributions to organizations and programs favoring social inclusion.

The waste treatment technology in our factory located in Burzaco complies with strict standards regulating the generation of sludge or mud-like raw material waste so as to eliminate expense involved in disposal.

Among others, Terma is a brand fully committed to using environmentally-friendly resources. Our actions have great repercussion due to this commitment and their innovative nature.

Terma was one of the first brands to use 100% recycled plastic bottles. This new idea resulted in the replacement of 24 tons of virgin PET with recycled PET, thus avoiding the emission of 51 tons of CO2.

In addition, in 2022 Terma signed an agreement with ReforestArg, to restore native forests affected by great fires in Chubut. The “Terma Forest” comprises four thousand native trees, including two main types: Andean Cypress, and Coihue, in Chubut. An advertising campaign invited Terma consumers to join in this crusade, to contribute to the creation of this forest.

Responsible Consumption

One of the main pillars in the relationship built among beverage brands and consumers lies in the commitment towards responsible consumption. GRUPO CEPAS launches a number of actions that seek to contribute to awareness and social health.

Among these actions, there are some that promote consumption of low-alcohol content beverages. Also, subscribing to the advertising self-regulation codes by FADA; the use of pictograms to warn against alcohol consumption among teens or kids, pregnant women and drivers; our participation in awareness and education campaigns (in partnership with other companies and chambers); and the development of self-regulation codes in alcohol delivery services.

Our sustainability pillars

Certificaciones

Our company’s plant in Burzaco is currently in the process of being ISO 14001-certified this 2023. It means we have adapted our environmental policies to add value to the impact of our business. The plant has also applied to be CAA-certified (Environmentally Apt), for its actions: scrap recycling, hazardous waste treatment, fluid waste treatment, gas waste treatment, spill prevention, among other major policies implemented.

Both the Burzaco and Rivadavia plants have also implemented the ISO 22000 standard for certification, involving indispensable requirements for food safety management systems. The goal: improving client satisfaction by effectively controlling hazards to food and beverage safety, with an integrated focus on all stages in the chain.

A number of products by GRUPO CEPAS have been certified by Vegan Veg Argentina, confirming they are suitable for Vegan consumers. LIAF CONTROL Vegan products certification points out the differentiated quality of food made from non-animal or animal-derived raw materials, and ingredients. Vegan products are labeled for easy identification.

Throughout 2023 we are participating in “Forests for All, Forever”, by FSC, with our Terma and Gancia crates/cartons, made 100% with certified recycled material. Products are packed in crates or cartons that carry the “ Forests for All, Forever” logo.

The Rivadavia plant (province of Mendoza) is a “Sustainable Winery” certified by Letis, subjected to the Winemakers Sustainability Self-Evaluation Protocol by Argentinean Winemakers, and supported by the National Winemakers Agency. This certifies all production processes meet the requirements to minimize the impact of our activity on both the environment and natural resources. Getting to be certified involved hard work on waste management, good and responsible use of natural resources, packaging management, and more.

PET PCR bottles

In line with our firm commitment towards sustainability, our company took one more step and innovated by bottling products in bottles made from recycled materials. The editions of “Terma Patagónico” and “Terma Citrus” came in 100% PCR bottles, while other PET bottles also contain 20% of recycled materials. This innovation by Terma resulted in replacing 24 tons of virgin PET with recycled PET, thus avoiding the emission of 51 tons of CO2.

PET PCR is recycled PET. Plastic is recycled from plastic that is properly disposed of, which means PET PCR depends on awareness and people committed to recycling. Both the brand and the company promote circular use of plastic.

Carbon footprint

Some of the most iconic brands by GRUPO CEPA are consistently working to generate solutions and policies to minimize the impact of carbon footprint. For instance, Gancia and Terma work on:

1. The selection of low-impact materials
2. Reducing use of materials.
3. Optimizing production techniques.
4. Optimizing distribution systems.
5. Reducing impact during use.
6. Optimizing average life cycle.
7. Optimizing system end of life.

All of this is included in the emissions reduction strategy, and translated into actions like: using recycled materials, recycling bottles and cans, using renewable energies, efficient use of energies, use of efficient shipping with low-impact fuel in the logistics chain, and more.

Zero waste to landfill

One of the goals at our Burzaco plant. The Zero waste to landfill policy has a number of variables that need to be studied to identify how to use and save water, energy, etc. throughout the production process. The recyclability rate for our Burzaco plant was 94% in 2022.

There are 3 compost bins in our plant in Burzaco, for organic waste generated in our offices and staff diner. With the resulting compost we created a sustainable garden as an initiative that contributes to reducing the carbon footprint throughout all processes.

Committed to care for communities

Recyclable waste resulting from the production process in our Burzaco plant are delivered to a recycling co-op in Villa Itatí. The co-op holds permits for storing and recycling waste, issued by the Ministry of Environment of the Province of Buenos Aires.

As a result of recycling, the co-op earns money that helps build kindergartens, child-care facilities, and women’s healthcare stations. They also buy supplies for their bakery, and cook meals they donate to homeless people.