GRI: 103-1, IP-4

At Grupo Herdez we promote a culture of respect and care for our environment. In 2020, we involved our collaborators even more in this important task of preserving the wellbeing of the planet. We made synergies in key areas of the company and with our stakeholders to design strategies, guidelines and policies focused on generating actions that have a positive impact on this pillar of our sustainability strategy.

In 2020, I had the chance to participate in creating the strategic sustainability plan of Grupo Herdez. The situation has challenged us to be atypical and work for our projects and initiatives to move forward."

Arturo Guzmán Chimeo, Environmental Sustainability Manager

In 2020, we invested $45,250,268 MXN on environmental programs, 50% higher compared to 2019, and we used it for strategic projects focused mainly on:

  • Reducing, eliminating, and/or controlling CO2 emissions in our own facilities.
  • Handling post-industrial waste.
  • Reducing water discharges.

Energy

Together we are more efficient

GRI: 103-1, 302-1, 302-3, 302-4, IP-10

At Grupo Herdez, energy consumption is fundamental to conduct our operations, thus taking our products to Mexican tables and throughout the world. In this regard, as part of our commitment to sustainability, each year we seek for alternatives of clean energy and more efficient that favor environmental care. We implement actions to favor climate change and responsible production and consumption, actively contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

In 2020, we made some important changes on our energy consumption reports, since we included Avomex, Cogeneración and Té plants, as well as the Lagos de Moreno Distribution Center (CAF) in the calculation. Additionally, with the divestment of the tuna business, the figures suffered an important reduction as of the end of the year.

As a result of a great effort, 62% of the energy consumed by Grupo Herdez came from clean sources,  including wind power and cogeneration.

This year we dispensed the consumption of certain fuels such as marine diesel, fish waste oil and jet gas, which represented a reduction of 18% in the consumption of non-renowable sources.

62% of the energy
consumed comes from
clean sources

We reduced the consumption
of non-renewable
fuel by 18%.

The total consumption of energy resources used in our operation in 2020 was 1,249,836 GJ, including fuel and electricity, which represents a 1% reduction with respect to the previous year.

  • Fuel consumption: 802,955 GJ
  • Electricity Consumption: 446,882 G

The total energy intensity that we generated as a Group was 2.01 GJ/Ton produced, a 14% reduction with respect to 2019.

The inclusion of Avomex, Cogeneración and plants, as well as the Lagos de Moreno Distribution Center, represented an increase of 19% with respect to the previous year in total energy consumption (175.97 Kwh/ton produced) and 67% in fuel consumption (19.21 m3/ton produced).

With the intention of strengthening the culture of continuous improvement to continue to reduce our fuel consumption and use of electricity, this year we introduced different initiatives.

  • Equipment conversion and adaptation with which we were able to save 3,157 GJ.
  • Changes in personnel behavior generating 31 GJ in savings. 
  • Savings actions in consumption equipment, with which we saved 52,789 GJ.

Water

Together, we take care of our resources

GRI: 103-1, 303-3, 303-4, 303-5

As part of our strategic pillars, we are moved by a sense of continuous improvement, therefore, we monitor, measure, and compare our environmental performance indicators, obtaining information that enables us to detect new ways of optimizing our water consumption and improving our processes. Additionally, we drive our collaborators and suppliers to join our commitment to the wellbeing of the planet, through the training that we offer for the adequate management of water resources.

As part of our actions, in 2020:

  • We consumed 554 megaliters of water, a reduction of 13% compared to 2019.
  • We extracted 1,542 million liters of water, 3.9% more than the previous year.
  • We discharged 994 million liters of wastewater, which represents a 20.7% increase with respect to 2019.
  • We collected 76 million liters of rainwater, which is the maximum capacity installed in the Duque de Herdez Complex, Planta Mexico, and the Mexico Distribution Center, which we use to water gardens.
 

For the purpose of improving our environmental performance and reducing consumption of this vital liquid, this year, we implemented several actions:

  • Treatment System: To reduce the discharge of wastewater, we developed a treatment system in our plants. Which was planned and designed according to the characteristics of the wastewater generated and the discharge conditions with which we have to comply. The processes followed by this system are:

Trap to retain grease, oil, and/or large solids.

Linear or circular Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) system

Conventional mud biological systems with clarification systems. 

Sand and gravel filtration system with activated carbon and manual or online clarification and/or ultraviolet system to mainly eliminate fecal waste and other biological microorganisms.

  • Homogenizer Water Savings: We installed water homogenizer collection and reuse systems in our Nutrisa Plant, which allows us to reduce water consumption in these facilities by 4 to 6 m3.
  • Zero confinement in muds generated in Planta Mexico: We collaborated with agricultural producers of bean, barley, and alfalfa harvests in the municipalities of Nextlalpan, Tecámac, and Zempoala. Through the water treatment process, we can take advantage of the muds generated in the plant and 100% of them may be used, thus improving the productivity of agricultural soil, achieving zero confinement, and reducing environmental impact.
  • Water consumption reduction: 
    • In our Barilla Plant, we replaced the vacuum pumps with dry-ring pumps to reduce consumption of water per ton produced in the 4 production lines.
    • In San Luis Potosí, we worked to optimize consumption of water resources in all our processes, which generated a positive impact. From 2016 to 2020, we have had aggregate savings of approximately 163 thousand m3 of water, which is equivalent to $3,577,793.00 MXN. 

Waste and recycling

Together, we reduce our impact

GRI: 103-1, 301-1, 301-2, 301-3, 306-2

Just as we seek to use efficiently and sustainably the resources that we use in each process, we also seek to take advantage of waste and reintegrate it into the production cycle.

Such is the case of our cardboard inputs (small boxes, boxes, and trays), which we acquire from a supplier, and are prepared with 80% recycled materials. This year, we used 156,616 pieces of recycled cardboard pieces, which is equivalent to 2.24% of the inputs that we use to produce and distribute our products.

This year we generated 64,335 tons of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, from which 83% of them entered into a reclying process. 

Hazardous waste by elimination method

Elimination Method2020 (Ton)2019 (Ton)
Recycling2371
Final disposal7943
Total102114

Non-hazardous waste by elimination method

Elimination Method2020 (Ton)2019 (Ton)
Recycling53,26131,604
Sanitary filling: it includes special management waste and solid urban non-assessed waste10,97210,327
Total64,23341,931

TYPES OF WASTE (%)

No Data Found

In 2020, we carried out the following initiatives to recycle and reuse our waste:

  • Post-consumption waste management plan: In alliance with Ecología y Compromiso Empresarial (ECOCE), an environmental non-profit association focused on post-consumption container and package management, we joined forces to promote environmental sustainability and generate plans to recover waste and integrate it into the recycling cycle.

    • Sigue dando lataFor the fourth consecutive year “Por un mundo más vivo” initiative backed by the HERDEZ® brand, invited our customers to recycle, reuse, and reduce the impact of tin packages. Thanks to the sum of our efforts with our clients from 12 retail chains in 14 States and 18 Cities in Mexico, we recovered and recycled 374,136 cans in our collection machines, thus adding 5.3 tons of tin. With this, we were able to prepare 8 clean energy systems that will be donated to communities without access to other electricity services in southern Mexico.

Emissions

Together, we reduce our carbon footprint

GRI: 305-1, 305-2, 305-5

At Grupo Herdez, we have worked to identify the main environmental risks that may affect the continuity and transcendence of our operations, as well as those that generate the largest footprint, thus generate actions that compensate and reduce our impacts on the environment.

From the results of the Climate Change Risks Study prepared in 2019, we prioritized risks, and made a financial impact assessment to be able to propose manageable initiatives.

The risks that we identified were classified according to their probability of occurrence and impact, with the three main pillars being:

  1. Increase in average temperatures.
  2. Changes in rain patterns and extreme variability in climate patterns.
  3. Changes in consumer preferences.

In 2020, total direct and indirect emissions were 78,862 Tons of CO2 equivalent, which represents a 14% reduction in total emissions with respect to 2019.

  • Direct emissions (scope 1): We generated 45,899 tons of CO2e direct emissions, a 31% reduction with respect to the previous year.
  • Indirect emissions (scope 2): We generated 32,783 tons of CO2e indirect emissions, a 31% increase.

emissions scope 1

emissions scope 2

Like every year, we sought to implement initiatives that allow us to reduce our environmental footprint, and generate more positive impacts.

Our GEI (Ton CO2e) emission reduction projects consisted of:

  • Equipment conversion and adaptation: 309 Ton
  • Change in the conduct of our collaborators: 4 Ton
  • Savings actions in process equipment: 4,775 Ton

"sembrando una nueva normalidad" initiative

For this reason, in 2020, through Herdez and Aires de Campo brands, we joined “Sembrando una Nueva Normalidad” initiative, promoted by civil society organizations Ríos Tarango and Ectagono, the purpose of which is to increase the plant coverage of the valuable environmental area “Barranca de Tarango”.

This year, Herdez® proposed the goal of planting 200 trees corresponding to 0.182 acres, which may absorb approximately 29 tons of CO2 per year.

Additionally, this initiative promoted the training and creation of 200 temporary jobs, since work opportunities were offered as forest restorers to the inhabitants of alcaldía Álvaro Obregón, who had environmental training, and lost their job as a result of COVID-19. Likewise, with this initiative, we joined the promotion of social reinsertion, by offering temporary jobs to young persons.

To guarantee the correct execution and implementation of forest actions, we provided theory and practical training to all persons involved.