State Government, Heineken, and Ambipar inaugurate a glass circularity center in Pernambuco

Governor Raquel Lyra signs the agreement for Heineken’s first glass recycling center in Brazil.  – Photo: Clarice Melo/Folha de Pernambuco

The Government of Pernambuco, in partnership with the Heineken Group and Ambipar, has officially inaugurated the first glass recycling center in Brazil. The facility, which received an initial investment of R$ 8 million, is located in Jaboatão dos Guararapes and will be responsible for sorting and processing glass, focusing on creating a complete recycling cycle, from collection to material reuse in the glass industry. The new center is expected to generate around 60 jobs (both direct and indirect), integrating 10 recycling cooperatives in Recife, totaling 300 collectors.

During the official ceremony, Governor Raquel Lyra highlighted the initiative’s impact on the sustainable development of Pernambuco. She emphasized the importance of companies with solid bases and strong industries in the State, adding that the partnership between the Government, Heineken, and Ambipar brings significant advancement to the circular economy and the environment.

“Companies with solid foundations and strong industries are here, but we also influence, through our tech hub, so that these companies, from Pernambuco, Brazil, and worldwide, can increase their efficiency through information technology. Working simultaneously across various fields is how we believe in transforming the world. Today, we face an accelerated climate change scenario, and it’s increasingly necessary to discuss resilience. To ensure that our states and cities adapt and remain sustainable, offering quality of life to the population,” stated the governor.

Moreover, Raquel also emphasized the importance of a clear strategy for transitioning to a regenerative economy. “Since day one of our government, we have been working to bring together our capabilities, including ethical resources, urban development, and collaboration with the private sector. We are moving forward to eliminate large landfills in Pernambuco and creating sustainable alternatives, like the sanitary landfills we are modeling with Caixa Econômica Federal,” she added.

The Secretary of Economic Development of Pernambuco, Guilherme Cavalcanti, highlighted that the project’s success results from the joint work between the Government and the private sector to create a business-friendly environment.

“No government drags a company by the neck. What we do is work to build a favorable business environment, create dialogue, and address day-to-day challenges. Our job is to make business decisions easier and more viable. And when the Pernambuco Government decided to invest in infrastructure, it paved the way for attracting investments like Heineken’s,” stated Cavalcanti.

The glass sorting center adds to a series of Government initiatives to transform Pernambuco into a hub of sustainability and job creation. Cavalcanti noted that the State was initially in an unfavorable business environment, but actions like the new center have changed this scenario. “This center is just the beginning of what is to come. Governor Raquel Lyra’s work has demonstrated her commitment and ability to make essential investments for Pernambuco’s future,” declared the secretary.

Circular Economy

The governor highlighted that the glass sorting center, now operational, is already processing between 6 to 7 million glass items daily. This material, which would previously be discarded, is now reused in producing new bottles and beer units.

“This center is a practical example of how the circular economy is becoming a reality in Pernambuco. With the partnership between HEINEKEN and Ambipar, we ensure that glass is no longer discarded in landfills but recycled, returning to the economy,” she said.

Lyra also noted that this initiative is expected to expand: “In the next 600 centers to be opened in Brazil, this action will allow 400,000 tons of glass to be recycled and reused, contributing to sustainability and waste reduction.”

Additionally, the governor reinforced the joint work between the private sector, public authorities, and social organizations, ensuring that the State’s growth is sustainable and fair for all. “Pernambuco is more advanced, and now we are gaining even more momentum. The partnership between the Government and companies like HEINEKEN and Ambipar exemplifies the power of collaboration for sustainable development,” she concluded.

Pernambuco

According to the companies, Pernambuco was chosen as the priority site to launch activities this year due to its economic and sustainable potential. In 2023, the HEINEKEN Group invested R$ 1.2 billion in its Igarassu brewery to boost its pure malt mainstream portfolio, especially with Amstel. With an anticipated increased demand for glass collection, treatment, and reverse logistics, this investment also aimed to accelerate the company’s sustainability agenda in the region. Additionally, Pernambuco hosts one of Ambipar Environment’s largest units in Brazil, covering 14,000 m² of operational area, equivalent to more than 11 Olympic-sized pools.

“The idea is to cover areas where glass collection is practically non-existent. We believe that by bringing logistics closer and creating demand for material in these regions, we can reduce costs and, consequently, provide better remuneration for those at the forefront of this value chain: the collectors. Our goal is to strengthen the glass circularity cycle, expanding our activities with the purchase and sale of glass shards, which allows us to contribute to new links in the chain. Beyond being suppliers, we want to be an active partner, facilitating the flow of recycled raw materials and encouraging a more efficient production chain for everyone involved,” explains Mauro Homem, Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs at HEINEKEN Group.

Results

Felipe Cury, head of post-consumption at Ambipar, highlighted the project’s initial results, which involve the structuring of cooperatives for waste collection, both post-industrial and post-consumption. “We are also arriving in the State with post-consumption collection in condominiums, which is very important, along with managing commercial establishments, public transport stations, shopping centers, hospitals, and other institutions,” explained Cury.

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