Havana Club has taken significant steps towards sustainability by introducing an EcoPlant at its San José distillery earlier this year. The EcoPlant will streamline the cleaning, sanitizing, and refilling processes of 4.5-litre EcoTotes containing its Añejo 3 Años rum, which are then distributed to on-trade venues across Cuba. This initiative is expected to drastically reduce glass waste and bottle imports, thereby cutting the brand’s carbon emissions related to premium spirits packaging and distribution by 88%, while nearly eliminating glass waste by 99%.
Partnership with EcoSpirits
In a strategic move towards sustainability, Pernod Ricard, Havana Club’s parent company, signed a global licensing agreement with EcoSpirits for its closed-loop packaging technology. Havana Club is pioneering this initiative within the group, highlighting its commitment to environmental stewardship.
Industry Adoption and Support
The initiative has garnered early support from Iberostar Cuba Hotels & Resorts, with two venues in Cuba adopting the closed-loop system. To further emphasize their commitment, Pernod Ricard hosted the annual ‘Responsib’All Day’ event on June 21 at the San José distillery. The event brought together over 500 guests, including Havana Club and Iberostar Cuba representatives, along with officials from the Cuban Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment, to showcase the new project and other circular economy initiatives.
Commitment to Sustainability
Marie Benech, Havana Club’s communications, public affairs, and CSR director, expressed enthusiasm about integrating EcoSpirits into their operations, underscoring the initiative’s role in advancing sustainability goals. She emphasized, “Respecting the land that produces our rum is fundamental to our mission and deeply ingrained in the Cuban way of life.” Havana Club’s EcoPlant initiative represents a significant stride towards minimizing waste and reducing their environmental impact, both locally and globally.
As Havana Club continues to innovate in sustainability with its EcoPlant initiative, it sets a precedent for responsible practices in the spirits industry, promoting a greener future while preserving Cuba’s natural resources.
