JBS Ambiental, a division from JBS Novos Negócios responsible for managing residues across JBS’ operations, recycled 3,400 tons of plastic in 2019, equivalent to 567 million grocery bags. The Company also recycled, in the same period, 3,700 tons of cardboard and 8,000 tons of metals. In total, the division was able to repurpose more than 17,000 tons of residues, a volume 15% higher than the one reported in 2018.
The materials are processed by JBS Ambiental and reinserted as raw materials for other purposes in JBS operations. “Our goal is to give use to the material for as long as possible within the chain, generate value to the products, resources and materials, and reduce residues, promoting complete sustainable gain,” says the director of JBS Ambiental, Susana Carvalho.
As an example of reuse of these residues, the plastic that comes from food packages becomes a pallet or underframe, both used for transporting products, trash bags, or even as an input for manufacturing trash cans, tables and benches in prototypes the Company has developed for its own use.
In addition to plastic, cardboard and metals, JBS Ambiental also reused more than 50,000 liters of oils, greases and similar last year, an increase of 32% from the volume in 2018 (38,000 liters).
Expansion
One of the factors that contributed to the increase of residue repurposing in the production chain was the opening of JBS Ambiental plants and the modernization of existing operations. In total, it operates 10 recycling units, in the states of Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Sao Paulo.
Two residue centers were opened in 2019, including the plants in Goiânia and Senador Canedo, both in Goiás. In addition to the new centers, JBS Ambiental invested in the modernization of three facilities in the state of Sao Paulo: Andradina, Barretos and Lins. Together, the inaugurations and renovations totaled BRL 1.6 million in investments made by JBS Ambiental in 2019.
For 2020, the Company expects to open another two centers, in addition to expanding and modernizing its two factories in Campo Grand and Naviraí, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, and in Ituiutaba, in the state of Minas Gerais.