Sustainability action in Brazil
As we continue to expand our operations in Brazil, we are committed to doing so responsibly, aiming to create fair and sustainable value across our value chains and activities in the country
Protecting the Environment
LDC is committed to minimizing the environmental impact of our farms, industrial assets and offices, and to sourcing and managing products responsibly.
Meeting Environmental Targets
LDC works hard to meet its global environmental targets to reduce electricity and water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste generation.
In Brazil, our teams achieved reductions across all these areas in 2019, by improving processes, modernizing facilities and equipment, reducing waste, training our people and implementing their ideas.
- We installed solar panels at oilseeds storage facilities in Brazil, making them energy self-sufficient
- Our Ponta Grossa oilseeds processing plant, in Paraná state, cut electricity consumption by 1.7% using frequency modulators in key electrical equipment
- Our Matipó coffee warehouse, in Minas Gerais state, was designed and built with translucent roof tiles, to reduce electricity consumption by relying on daylight in certain areas
- We installed a rainwater collection system at our Bebedouro dry peel plant, in São Paulo state, to recycle wastewater for floor cleaning, instead of drawing clean water
- We monitor rain forecasts at citrus farms to optimize the use of crop protection products, avoiding water and fuel waste resulting from repeat applications due to rain rinsing off applied products
Green Office
All LDC offices in Brazil have introduced measures to reduce our environmental footprint, such as the elimination of plastic cups, efficient water management, trash recycling, reduced printing, use of biodegradable cleaning products and LED lighting.
Offices that demonstrate top environmental performance and progress are recognized through our annual Green Office initiative.
Working with Partners
Recognizing that we can have a greater impact by working with others, we act through a wide range of collaborative initiatives and associations to drive positive change in our supply chains.
Conduct Manual for Raw Material Suppliers
We inform all Brazilian suppliers of LDC’s expectations and standards regarding sustainable sourcing and practices, mapping all supply channels to ensure requirements are communicated to all suppliers by means of our Conduct Manual (only in Portuguese).
In addition, a digital platform enables our origination teams to map production practices at farm level and identify any weaknesses needing to be addressed in our supply chain to protect local communities, our partners and the environment.
LDC Seal of Responsible Origination
Launched in 2018, LDC’s Sustainable Agriculture program certifies soy suppliers who meet our sustainability standards. In 2019, we worked closely with farmers to certify our soy supply chain, aiming to satisfy customer expectations and promote the production of sustainable soy in Brazil.
Our seal of responsibly origination complements LDC’s Soy Sustainability Policy, commitment to No Deforestation, No Peat, and No Exploitation, and efforts to drive supply chain transparency and traceability – for instance, reporting on soy sourced in Brazil’s Cerrado biome, as members of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Soft Commodities Forum.
Programa Compartilhar
Sharing best practice is central to our sustainability efforts globally, and LDC works with a wide range of stakeholders across our business lines and value chains to share sustainable production tools and techniques, explain technical and legal requirements, and ensure alignment with our policies.
In Brazil, our Juice teams do so through LDC’s Programa Compartilhar, training partners and third-party fruit suppliers on LDC policies, sustainable production and consumer trends.
Investing in Communities
Recognizing our responsibility to local communities near our operations around the world, we seek to play a positive role in their lives and development, helping them grow and thrive.
Environmental Education
LDC has run its Juntos Pelo Meio Ambiente (together for the environment) program since 2012, to educate students from elementary schools near our citrus farms on environmental practices that they can replicate at home with their families.
Each year, thousands of children attend lectures and farm tours, learn about recycling, responsible consumption and care of fauna and flora, and help to plant native seedlings.
Sustainable Forest Friends of Nature
LDC employees helped to design and build a sustainable space at our Luis Eduardo Magalhães asset, in Bahia state, using recycled materials such as tyres and PET bottles. The resulting 7,000m² space is full of trees, flowers and even a fish pond – a special place that employees, partners and local schools can visit and enjoy during office hours.
Program for collecting Used Soy Oil
In partnership with NGOs, LDC’s Vila Velha soybean oil brand supports a program to collect used soybean oil, aiming to avoid the pollution that results when it is not properly disposed of.
Run through over 80 schools at Cotia, in São Paulo state, the program provides containers to collect used oil from surrounding communities and, as an additional benefit, promotes awareness of environmental and sustainability issues among almost 30,000 students.
