ECM is making a notable effort to reduce its ecological footprint, developing its activity in a sustainable way so as to contribute to the balance that exists between the environment, society and the economy.
ECM has implemented several measures to minimise the environmental impact of its activities. Of particular note is the installation of 2,378 photovoltaic panels with an installed electrical power of 780 Kw. These panels, which cover a total area of 5,500 m2, enable an annual reduction of 400 tonnes of CO2 emissions. This installation supplies 25% of ECM’s energy requirements. Its size makes it the second most powerful solar power plant on the island of Madeira, after the one installed in the Caniçal Free Trade Zone.
Our commitment to sustainability
SOLAR PANELS
These panels, which cover a total area of 5,500 m2, enable an annual reduction of 400 tonnes of CO2 emissions and supply 25% of ECM’s energy requirements. Its size makes it the second most powerful solar electricity production plant on the island of Madeira, after the one installed in the Free Trade Zone in Caniçal.
All points of sale in the Food channel are used bottle return stations and deposit recovery points. In 2021, ECM managed to collect 3.5 million bottles from supermarkets, representing a 43% return rate in this sector. In the HoReCa distribution channel, the return rate is 100%.
ECM was a national pioneer with the introduction of two reusable glass bottle collection machines in 2018, and currently has eight reverse vending machines installed in the market. These machines only accept bottles from references produced by ECM and are a saving for the consumer. By returning empty glass bottles, the consumer is helping the environment and getting back the deposit paid at the time of purchase.
As the process of reusing glass bottles is more environmentally friendly than the process of producing new bottles, this effort and commitment to sustainability has resulted in 280 fewer tonnes of CO2 being emitted into the environment (for every million new glass bottles manufactured, around 80 tonnes of CO2 are emitted).
Another environmental impact of ECM’s activity is the production of waste, mainly resulting from the materials used in packaging and transporting raw materials, auxiliary materials and packaging materials to ECM. All this waste is delivered to licensed waste management operators, who in turn collect it and give it the preferred final destination. The heaviest recyclable waste is plastic (PET, HDPE, LDPE), glass and cardboard.
With regard to packaging placed on the market, it is part of ECM’s policy to only use reusable tare glass bottles in the region. This is particularly important for the environment, since all recyclable waste, such as glass, is sent to recycling centres in mainland Portugal, at an increased cost to the environment.
REUSE
All glass bottles marketed in the Autonomous Region of Madeira by ECM are reusable, without exception, both in the HoReCa and Food marketing channels.
In 2006, all the gas-powered forklifts were replaced by more environmentally friendly and less polluting electric equipment.
The recovery of CO2 from beer production is also a contribution to environmental protection: around 250 tonnes of CO2 per year is recovered and used in other processes.
Currently, and in its final stage of completion, the project to change the steam production equipment to run on biomass (renewable energy) instead of fuel is underway. This will reduce the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere and consequently reduce the consumption of fossil fuels.
Another very important environmental aspect in this industry is the waste water resulting from the manufacturing processes, which contains a high organic load. ECM has a WWTP (Waste Water Treatment Plant) with secondary treatment, which guarantees compliance with the limits set for the business park where it operates. The sludge resulting from the treatment is sent to landfill, another of the company’s commitments to society.
The high-quality standards of its products and services, its constant concern for the environment and the close-knit culture that ECM has with its customers and consumers have always allowed its brands to grow. This success has only been possible because ECM has always seen quality and the environment as fundamental factors for competitiveness and differentiation.
With regard to primary plastic packaging (PET), essentially used in the food channel for water and soft drinks, ECM has been reducing the weight of the bottles and also of the caps, in order to lower its ecological footprint.
The secondary packaging has also undergone new developments to make it more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Pack films no longer contain information printed with inks, and packs made up of two different materials, such as plastic and cardboard, are now made only of cardboard.
In 2013, ECM introduced reusable plastic cups for the first time in Portugal at parties, concerts, beaches and other events. This replaced all single-use plastic cups, thus helping to eliminate this type of waste from these events.
