Neoenergia Coelba partners with Ambipar and Heineken Spin, increasing the value of glass collected by the Vale Luz Project by over 200%.

Starting this Thursday (24), people in Bahia will receive an even greater discount when disposing of glass through the Vale Luz project. This benefit is the result of a partnership between Neoenergia Coelba, Ambipar—a Brazilian multinational and global leader in environmental solutions, and Heineken Spin. The payment per kilogram of collected glass will increase from R$0.08 to R$0.25, representing over a 200% increase. Various types of glass can be discarded, such as beverage bottles. This incentive aims to encourage consumers toward responsible disposal, promoting both glass circularity and social benefits, as the material will be converted into discounts on electricity bills.

To participate, customers must separate the glass—ensuring it is clean and dry, provide their customer code (located in the upper right corner of the electricity bill), and bring it to one of the project’s 10 fixed service points or mobile actions in the capital and Bahia’s interior. The partnership between Neoenergia Coelba, Ambipar, and Heineken Spin strengthens and expands the reach of the Vale Luz project, which is part of the distributor’s Energy Efficiency Program, regulated by ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency).

“This partnership reflects our commitment to a sustainable future. Offering a more attractive value for disposal encourages recycling and highlights the importance of the circular economy, ensuring that our actions today create a positive impact on the environment and society,” says Thiago Guth, CEO of Neoenergia Coelba.

“When large brands and institutions unite for a common goal, society as a whole benefits. The partnership with Heineken and Ambipar goes beyond, involving the public in fostering environmental awareness and a sustainable future,” emphasizes João Paulo Baptista, Neoenergia’s Director of Institutional and Governmental Relations.

In addition to consumers who bring glass for a discount on their electricity bill, recyclable material collectors can also participate and receive the equivalent amount for the materials disposed of in the project. The idea is for collectors to earn more for the waste they collect, with the same rate offered to the industry—fully passed on to participants. “Today, the Vale Luz project already has 451 registered collectors who will now benefit from increased disposal of this additional material,” highlights Ana Mascarenhas, Neoenergia’s Energy Efficiency Superintendent.

Reverse logistics of the HEINEKEN Group in Bahia and Rio Grande do Norte

Through this partnership, reverse logistics and proper disposal of post-consumer glass packaging will be conducted, which can now be collected by the Vale Luz project in Bahia and Rio Grande do Norte, both states benefiting from the initiative. This complete sustainability cycle enables the responsible disposal of glass, a material with a high recycling potential despite only 25% of all glass produced in Brazil being recycled currently.

“For nearly three decades, we have focused on environmental solutions to help other companies care for the planet, combining environmental stewardship with economic development. We have been recycling glass for over 25 years. With this new partnership, we are optimistic about promoting reverse logistics for this type of waste in Bahia and Rio Grande do Norte, encouraging proper disposal to effectively reintegrate it into the production cycle, reducing waste and environmental impact,” explains Felipe Cury, Ambipar’s Head of Post-Consumer Services.

Other materials accepted by Vale Luz

In addition to glass, the Vale Luz project accepts other waste materials in exchange for discounts on electricity bills. Among the accepted materials are aluminum cans, PET bottles, cardboard, office paper, newspapers, plastic bags, cleaning product packaging, soda and other food cans, Tetra Pak packaging, and cooking oil (which should be filtered and delivered in a transparent PET bottle). These materials are weighed, and discounts are applied directly to the electricity bill provided by the consumer. The main goal of Vale Luz is not only to reduce the electricity bill but also to promote the rational use of natural resources and minimize the negative impacts caused by waste, encouraging recycling.

• Click here to read the full article.