Known for producing some of the world’s tastiest rums, Bacardi Family is also renowned for a company that is ahead of many of their competitors in terms of corporate responsibility and green initiatives. In the past, the family-owned company has patented anaerobic treatment of their distillery waste water. The process is used to derive energy, which is then utilized for powering the distillery. As a result, the company successfully reduces their use of imported fuels and energy sources. Moreover, the company also recovers the carbon dioxide produced by the fermentation process and sold the gas to other companies who typically use the CO2 for making carbonated beverages.
The Bacardi Family, which is well-known for re-creating the popular Cuban drink we know as Mojito today, also treats waste water and uses the water in the towers during production process, saving more than 20,000 gallons of water on daily basis. Just recently, the company announced that they are going to install wind turbines in order to power their top distillery and the Casa Bacardi Visitor Center, which is visited by more than 200,000 visitors a year. The two large wind turbines are probably the largest wind turbines in Puerto Rico, owned by the Aspenall Energies. The turbines produce total 500kW and are set to power the Casa Bacardi Visitor Center, which is by doing so will cut over 900 tons of CO2 emission this year. Up to these days, Bacardi is still the first family-owned company that initiates green energy solution using wind power in Puerto Rico. Bacardi Family is currently working with the local government that will provide incentives and support to those supporting green energy solutions.