Aboitiz Foods reported that it surpassed the Philippines' Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law plastic recovery targets by more than 300% in 2024. The company recovered the equivalent of 326.42% of its rigid plastic footprint and 63.8% of flexible plastics, well above the government’s 40% recovery target for that period.
This success is part of its broader commitment to responsible business, driven by its #everymeal advocacy to create a positive impact across every stage of the value chain, from mill to meal. From responsible sourcing and sustainable packaging to community engagement and environmental stewardship, #everymeal reflects how the company strives to nourish people, animals, and communities in a more responsible and sustainable way.
The #everymeal campaign is Aboitiz Foods’ flagship ESG initiative. It highlights its mill-to-meal approach to responsibly nourishing communities while supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“Our purpose goes beyond business,” said Annacel Natividad, chief risk officer at Aboitiz Foods. “This progress reflects our commitment to doing things right and always striving to do better. #everymeal is our ongoing promise to produce food and feed responsibly. We’re proud that our efforts are not just ticking boxes, but creating real, lasting impact in the way we operate.”
Rethinking packaging and driving results
Aboitiz Foods prioritized packaging reform as a key strategy. This strategy is closely aligned with the Philippines' EPR Law, which mandates companies to be responsible for the proper and environmentally sound management of their product packaging throughout its lifecycle, particularly after consumption.
Packaging remains the largest source of plastic use across Aboitiz Foods’ operations, covering a wide range of products from animal feeds to flour. In recent years, Aboitiz Foods has taken deliberate steps to reduce its packaging footprint by introducing lighter packaging using 20% less plastic, shifting to bulk formats in some product lines, and implementing bulk truck loading systems across several feed mills in the Philippines.
Take, for example, soybean meal, the second-largest raw material in Aboitiz Foods’ feed production. Previously transported entirely in bags, it is now loaded directly onto trucks using fixed pipes or recycled one-ton tote bags. This shift significantly reduces single-use packaging, saves thousands of woven bags each year, and improves operational efficiency.
Beyond packaging, Aboitiz Foods repurposes used packaging into unique items like bags, aprons, pouches, and shirts, giving materials a second life while engaging employees and communities in sustainability efforts.
At the same time, the company is making steady progress in renewable energy, reforestation, and waste reduction. In 2024, Aboitiz Foods planted over 7,600 trees, generated more than 16.2 million kilowatt-hours of solar energy, and produced over 10.3 million tons of biomass. It also reused, upcycled, or properly disposed of 1,100 metric tons of plastic, and achieved more than USD 165,000 in savings through waste reuse initiatives.
Scaling sustainability beyond borders
While this significant progress in plastic recovery was measured in the Philippines, Aboitiz Foods views it as a strong foundation for its broader, long-standing commitment to responsible packaging and resource management across all its markets. With operations across Asia, including in Vietnam and China, the company has long been exploring and implementing packaging and recovery strategies, and is now identifying ways to tailor and replicate these efforts across different regulatory environments.
At Gold Coin Feed Dongguan, the team launched a recycling program that transforms used packaging waste into valuable resources, diverting 211 metric tons from landfill in 2024 alone. This initiative also provides a steady income for low-income community members, reinforcing Aboitiz Foods’ commitment to advancing the circular economy and social impact across its Asian operations.
“Our teams throughout Asia are identifying the most relevant sustainability opportunities for their local operations and communities,” explained Natividad. “At the same time, we’re building stronger internal systems to monitor, track, and eventually scale these efforts. It’s a long road, but this milestone gives us a strong foundation.”
With the EPR Law’s targets rising to 80% by 2028, Aboitiz Foods is doubling down on its commitment to act responsibly and make steady progress. “More than compliance, this progress is about taking responsibility,” added Natividad. “We’re doing our part to manage what we produce and to ensure it does not end up harming the communities and ecosystems we are part of.”
