«Being nonconformist is one of our hallmarks»
Estrella Galicia is perhaps its most emblematic product, but it also has 1906 beer, Maeloc cider, Cabreiroá water, different wines… What measures are you implementing to achieve more sustainable packaging for all these references?
At Hijos de Rivera we are known for being nonconformists and we seek to generate an ever-increasing positive impact, and this also affects the packaging of our products. In this sense, in 2022 we launched the “no pack”, the packaging that does not exist, for our Estrella Galicia, Estrella Galicia Especial, Estrella Galicia 00, 1906 Reserva Especial and Red Vintage references.
This format, without any packaging in the can packs, has helped us on the road to reducing packaging, because we have done away with the cardboard that covers the cans and replaced it with glue points that serve as a link between them, thus moving towards minimising waste and the carbon footprint. This was another step towards more sustainable packaging, because we had never used plastic rings and previously we only used 100% recyclable cardboard in the packs.
Likewise, in the water segment, last year Cabreiroá became the first beverage brand in Spain to offer a compostable, plant-based water bottle. With this, we achieve sustainable production that does not generate waste and has a smaller carbon footprint than conventional packaging. This is a sustainable container made entirely from renewable sources that, in addition, does not generate waste or release substances that affect the environment during its decomposition.
Do you apply eco-design criteria to facilitate recycling?
As I mentioned earlier, at Hijos de Rivera we are constantly working to ensure that our products are increasingly environmentally friendly, innovating in different aspects that help us to minimise waste and the carbon footprint linked to our activity.
In addition to the “no pack” format, we have implemented other changes to our beer products to minimise waste in larger formats, such as the use of film covering the 12 and 24 can packs, which will be replaced by 100% recyclable paper. In doing so, we have eliminated all secondary plastic from all our canned beer formats.
In the case of Cabreiroá, in the process of developing this pioneering packaging in our country, we took into account other eco-design criteria, to facilitate recycling and benefit the environment. Thus, we worked on the composition of the labels, which were also made with PLA and therefore 100% biodegradable and compostable. In addition, we used organic pigments in the bottle and inks that are completely sustainable and free of substances harmful to the environment.
Have you thought about making the glass in your bottles lighter?
Much of our beer production is packaged in reusable formats, such as barrels and glass bottles. This undoubtedly contributes significantly to reducing the generation of waste after consumption, while also allowing us to avoid the consumption of new resources. In the case of Cabreiroá, since 2021 our entire range of waters is sold in eco-packaging, such as returnable glass.
Furthermore, we continue to work to make these containers more sustainable. At Hijos de Rivera we are part of Ecovidrio's Business Plan for the Prevention of Packaging Waste in the Beer Sector, whose main objective is to offer eco-design recommendations for glass containers, including lightening the weight of glass bottles.
In this regard, it is also worth highlighting that in 2023 we have managed to lighten our packaging. Specifically, we have reduced glass consumption by more than 6.000 tons.
What type of plastic are you using for water containers?
The Cabreiroá bottle is produced with PLA, a bio-based polymer, which has its origin in sugar cane. It is a material that has allowed us to reduce the negative impact of plastic waste on the health of the planet, since its degradation in a composting plant does not generate waste.
PLA has unique biodegradability and compostability characteristics. Specifically, it decomposes in much less time than other packaging, provided it undergoes an industrial composting process in optimal temperature and humidity conditions. Thus, the Cabreiroá PLA bottle degrades 100% in less than 90 days.
In terms of packaging design, would Estrella Galicia be the most notable product?
I wouldn't just talk about Estrella Galicia. With such a wide portfolio of brands that we have, it wouldn't be fair. What we are clear about is that packaging contributes to the positioning and value proposition of each of the Hijos de Rivera brands.
We believe that liquid and packaging are an essential and inseparable combination, so the way we present each product is the way we present a global proposal that encourages the buyer to buy that product, whether it be water, beer, wine...
