October 18, 2024
(press release)
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18/10/2024 13h48 BRF and Marfrig promote a more sustainable production chain by reducing waste Sustainability actions by both companies also promote packaging recycling and contribute to mitigation of climate changes Brazil produces around 160 million tons of food annually. The alarming fact is that 55 million tons of this volume are wasted, according to the Analysis on Hunger and Food Waste in Brazil, prepared by the Integration Consulting in a partnership with the Pact Against Hunger(Pacto Contra a Fome). Losses are distributed throughout the production and consumption chain: 31.2% occur at the production stage; 19.5% in storage and transportation; 21.5% in supply; 14.3% in retail; and 13.5% with the end consumer, the study reports. Aware of this pressing need, BRF, owner of the brands Sadia, Perdigão and Qualy, and its majority shareholder, Marfrig, one of the global leaders in the production of beef, pork and poultry, and the larger producer of hamburgers worldwide, have implemented actions to make production chains more sustainable: “By promoting actions that preserve resources and minimize waste, we are helping to create a more responsible production chain that meets the expectations of a consumer who is increasingly concerned about the impact of their purchasing decisions on the environment and society”, explains Paulo Pianez, BRF and Marfrig’s director of sustainability. “We believe that sustainability should be at the heart of all decisions, for both companies and consumers.” BRF, through a Zero Loss movement, has initiatives to reduce waste in production, including better use of food, but also water and electricity, among other resources. Through processes such as grain cleaning and drying, which preserve quality and control pests, BRF reduces losses in the receipt of commodities. In agriculture, it trains producers and animal welfare officers, promoting good practices that improve productivity. In logistics, with more than 5,000 trucks monitored in real time, the company avoids losses by monitoring the movement, temperature and conditions of cargo, preventing refrigeration failures. Throughout Marfrig's beef production, the company also focuses on fully utilizing the beef, so that practically all parts of the animal are used productively. This care naturally applies to meat for human consumption, but also: parts such as bones, fats and skins are transformed into valuable raw materials for different industries. Another relevant action by Marfrig on this topic is the Açougue Mais Program, which offers training to employees of partner customer stores, aiming to standardize processes and procedures, including guidance on receiving goods, cleaning, organizing stock, handling and presenting products, which prevents food loss due to incorrect handling. “At BRF and Marfrig, we understand that sustainability is an essential pillar for the future of the animal protein production chain. We have the responsibility to adopt practices that minimize environmental impacts and promote the efficient use of resources. Avoiding waste, especially of food, is a priority at all stages of the production process,” says Pianez. “Through technological innovations, process optimization and raising awareness among employees, we are able to reduce losses and ensure more sustainable use of inputs.” Climate adaptation and mitigation When it comes to combating climate change, BRF and Marfrig have been working on pillars that include the sustainable purchase of cattle and grains, the use of renewable energy and low-carbon agribusiness, the use of natural resources, including clean energy from renewable sources, the circular economy and waste management with reverse logistics, in addition to recycled packaging – in a partnership with eureciclo –, BRF began in 2024 to environmentally offset 100% of the post-consumer packaging of the Sadia Hot Bowls line, recycling more than 20 million packages and around 500 tons of waste per year. Sadia is a pioneer in the total recycling of containers in its line of ready meals, similar to Qualy, which does the same in the margarine sector. The containers are made of polypropylene, cardboard and plastic, and are reused by waste picker cooperatives in several states, transforming the income of many families. In the field of renewable energy, BRF has made significant progress. Currently, 57% of its poultry production volume already uses solar photovoltaic energy. The clean energy produced could supply a city with around 200,000 inhabitants. In addition, BRF and Marfrig have already achieved 100% traceability of direct grain and cattle suppliers through geospatial monitoring. They are also able to map 90% of indirect grain suppliers and 79% of indirect cattle suppliers in all Brazilian regions. “Traceability is important to ensure that the grains used to produce animal feed and the livestock come from authorized areas, away from environmental or indigenous preservation zones, avoiding contributing to deforestation and its consequences, such as the release of gases that intensify global warming,” says Paulo Pianez. Social actions Initiatives focused on education to reduce food waste and strengthen local communities are also within the scope of BRF’s work through the work of the BRF Institute. The institute’s executive director, Raquel Ogando, says that around 1 million people have already been reached with educational content on the topic. “The promotion of research is also a strategy that has been used. In a partnership with the Fundação José Luiz Egydio Setúbal, we published two articles on the scenario of food loss and waste in Brazil,” she adds. Direct action with communities is also part of the scope of actions through specific projects and social initiatives led by BRF Volunteers. The Institute's most recent actions include a hackathon with the aim of stimulating creativity and critical thinking among adolescents and young people, and an action called From the Market to the Plate (Da Feira ao Prato), in which around 20 volunteers from each BRF production unit mobilize to establish partnerships with open air markets and markets in their respective regions, transforming food that would otherwise be thrown away into healthy meals for people in situations of social vulnerability. Also, coordinated by the BRF Institute, BRF donates products to food banks and social organizations in different regions of Brazil. One of the company's main partners in this effort is Sesc Mesa Brasil, the largest private network of food banks in Latin America, which promotes actions to combat hunger and waste that are coordinated by the Serviço Social do Comércio (Sesc). In 2024, BRF has already donated more than 60 tons of food to the institution, reinforcing the food security of thousands of families in situations of nutritional and food vulnerability. About BRF BRF operates in 127 countries and aims to offer high-quality, increasingly tasty and practical foods to people worldwide through sustainable management of its supply chain, from farm to table. Owner of iconic brands like Sadia, Perdigão, and Qualy, the company's actions are based on the fundamental commitments of Safety, Quality, and Integrity. With agility, simplicity, and efficiency, BRF focuses on long-term value creation for its over 100,000 collaborators, 300,000 customers globally, approximately 10,000 integrated partners in Brazil, all its shareholders, and society as a whole. About Marfrig Marfrig is one of the leading companies in beef, pork, and poultry and the largest hamburger producer globally, with net revenue of BRL 30.4 billion in the first quarter of 2024. The company employs more than 120,000 collaborators across its North America, South America, and BRF operations. The North and South America operations process and market fresh beef, branded processed products, ready-to-eat beef-based meals, complementary products, and leather for both domestic and international markets. Renowned for its productquality and sustainable practices, Marfrig pioneers projects aimed at protecting the environment and natural resources. 
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