Marfrig, one of the global leaders in the production of beef, pork, and poultry, and the largest producer of hamburgers in the world, offset 2,032 tons of plastic and paper packaging from products consumed in Brazil in 2023, an increase of 49% compared to 2022 (1,363 tons). The offset is done in partnership with the Instituto Rever, the entity responsible for certifying the cooperatives that sort, package, and direct the waste to return to the production chain, as well as issue recycling certificates.
Paulo Pianez, Marfrig’s sustainability director, explains that offsetting packaging is an important part of the company’s environmental initiatives and commitments made by Marfrig to mitigate the impact of its operations. ‘Through reverse logistics, we were able to advance our strategy of ensuring end-to-end sustainability of the food production chain, as well as contribute to the professionalization of cooperatives and the generation of employment and income for recycling workers.’
Ricardo Pazzianotto, executive director of the Instituto Rever, states that ‘the partnership encourages the reverse logistics of post-consumer packaging, ensures Marfrig’s legal compliance with state and national authorities, aligning with regulatory requirements and strengthening the company’s socio-environmental responsibility.’
Erika Gonçalves, legal representative of the Recycling Cooperative Eco Guarulhos, one of the ecosystem’s partner entities, explains that the partnership brings more security, allowing the cooperative to plan the necessary investments with greater confidence and flexibility. “This investment freedom allows for training, equipment purchases, and improvements in the receiving and sorting capacity of our cooperative.”
Reverse logistics: it is a set of activities that includes collecting, transporting, and properly disposing of products and materials discarded by society – such as food packaging – so that they can be reused, recycled, or disposed of in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. The waste is reused by the industries themselves or directed for use in other production cycles, with a different final destination.
