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Bacardi Launches Glass Recycling Program In Puerto Rico To Reduce Waste From Hospitality Sector
July 30, 2025
Hamilton, Bermuda – July 30, 2025 – Family-owned spirits company Bacardi has partnered with recycling company, Reciclaje del Norte, and the Municipality of Cataño, to launch a glass recycling program for businesses in the area surrounding its BACARDĺ rum distillery in Puerto Rico.
The new initiative which launched in May, sees the weekly collection of spirits bottles from participating bars and restaurants in the Cataño Bay area. The collected glass is then crushed and reused to produce building blocks.
To date, more than 1.3 tons of glass has been collected through the scheme, making an important contribution to reducing glass waste in landfill, and at the same time helping raise awareness of the importance of recycling in Puerto Rico.
As a family-owned business, we believe strongly in doing the right thing by giving back to our local community and helping protect the environment in Cataño. We’re so proud of this project as it’s a perfect example of how we can work together to make a meaningful difference.”
Magaly Feliciano, Global Sustainability Director at Bacardi, who is based in Puerto Rico
This fantastic glass recycling program is not just another initiative; it is an innovative effort that involves and includes our businesses in Cataño Bay in the construction of an economy where waste is not waste, but an opportunity for something more. Every bottle we recycle today contributes to building a stronger Cataño tomorrow. This program shows that, with perseverance and strategic partnerships, we can help protect our environment for generations to come.”
Julio Alicea Vasallo, mayor of Cataño
This initiative is just one way in which Bacardi is giving back to the local community and reducing the impact of its production on the environment, with other actions including switching from oil to gas at its distillery to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reusing water to cool stills which saves millions of gallons of water every year. Recognizing its efforts to protect the local bat population in Puerto Rico, the Bacardi site also holds Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) Certification – the only organization to do so on the island.
For more on the Good Spirited actions Bacardi is taking to protect People & Planet, visit www.bacardilimited.com/CS.
About Bacardi Limited
Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets and distributes spirits and wines. Bacardi Limited’s portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRON® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® tequila, and other leading and emerging brands. Founded more than 162 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently has more than 8,000 employees, production facilities in 11 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit http://www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
