With an initial investment of R$ 8 million, Pernambuco inaugurates Heineken and Ambipar’s first glass recycling center in Brazil

The event was held on Wednesday (6) in partnership with the Pernambuco government. The facility is located in Jaboatão, in Greater Recife. Photo: Thatiany Lucena/DP.

In an event held in conjunction with the Government of Pernambuco on Wednesday (6), the Heineken Group announced the installation of the company’s first glass recycling center in Brazil, in partnership with Ambipar.

With an initial investment of R$ 8 million, the facility, already installed in Jaboatão dos Guararapes, will be responsible for processing thousands of tons of glass annually.

This initiative boosts Pernambuco’s economic potential for attracting new investments, especially in sustainable practices.

Recently, the Heineken Group invested R$ 1.2 billion in its brewery in Igarassu, in the Recife Metropolitan Region.

The project will be carried out through the Heineken Spin business ecosystem, the first glass processing center in Brazil.

Why Pernambuco

Heineken’s Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs, Mauro Homem, explains why Pernambuco was chosen to host the first center of its kind in the country.

“Pernambuco was chosen because of the competence and openness that the entire state government team demonstrated to Heineken, not only for this specific investment in the glass sorting center, but for all the investment Heineken announced in 2023, which is now being completed, aiming to generate development and environmental quality,” he states.

According to Mauro, the Jaboatão-based center has already started operations this week. The company’s goal is to collect glass from all possible areas to increase the material’s collection nationwide.

“We only recycle 20% of all glass in Brazil, so 75% is still available to be recycled. We would like to collect glass wherever it may be—in condominiums, public buildings, large generators, in commerce. Not only in Pernambuco, but also in other states,” said the Heineken representative.

“We see a great opportunity with the hubs. On one hand, there’s the potential to promote environmental education and improve the glass recycling chain. On the other, the chance to generate income and offer dignified working conditions for recycling workers,” explains Felipe Cury, Head of Post-Consumption at Ambipar.

According to him, Ambipar acts as a fundamental link, providing structure, supporting cooperatives, and connecting them with logistics operators and recyclers. Cury also mentions that Ambipar already operates in the state and sees the potential of the Northeastern ecosystem. “And now, we are excited to join forces with a brand like Heineken to work toward a more sustainable future,” he concludes.

The recycling center operates in a space already occupied by Ambipar in the state, dedicated to reverse logistics. In addition to this pioneering unit in the country, the next state to receive the hub will be Bahia later this year, followed by Espírito Santo. Three more states are expected to receive similar units next year.

Circular Economy

The facility will focus on providing proper treatment for post-consumer packaging glass. In partnership with Ambipar, the company will also sell the material to the glass industry, creating a circularity cycle and generating income.

The companies anticipate that the investment in the glass processing system will generate 60 direct and indirect jobs, as well as integrate ten recycling cooperatives from Recife, benefiting 300 waste pickers.

The governor of Pernambuco, Raquel Lyra, highlighted the importance of this center for the state.

“Heineken announced very recently an investment of R$ 1.2 billion in Pernambuco. Now, it brings an innovative initiative,” she said.

According to the governor, the facility will ensure that a large portion of all glass produced by the brewery is absorbed.

“In the next 600 centers to be opened in Brazil, this initiative will allow at least 400,000 tons of glass to be circulated and returned to produce new bottles nationwide,” she said.

Pernambuco’s Secretary of Economic Development, Guilherme Cavalcanti, pointed out that this initiative will bring more jobs and development to the state.

“We need to promote environmental justice, and this is achieved by creating opportunities for all. This sorting center brings that to Pernambuco. More than just technology and an increase in glass recycling volume, it offers opportunities for the many families working at the grassroots, collecting and sorting this glass,” emphasizes Guilherme.

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