Family-owned Bacardi Limited (Bacardi) is celebrating its 161st anniversary with a gift to the planet and its people. The world’s largest privately held spirits company will plant one tree for every employee to support biodiversity, help local communities, and capture a combined 2.5 million kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) during the trees’ lifetime.
Bacardi said that every person in the company will receive an anniversary edition bottle of Barcardi Carta Blanca, complete with a QR code that enables them to plant their own tree and then track its progress and positive impact through an online platform. Through its ESG program, Good Spirited, the company is taking action to restore communities, revitalize natural ecosystems, and change the way it does business. “As a family-owned company, doing the right thing is in our DNA, and all of us at Bacardi share that passion for taking care of the environment,” said Bacardi Limited CEO Mahesh Madhavan. “By creating our very own Bacardi forests, we can all take pride in having our own positive impact and being part of our company’s legacy for the next 161 years and beyond.”
The trees will be planted in India, Nepal, Indonesia, Ecuador, and Madagascar, with 11 different species carefully selected to maximize the benefits to each location and community. The tree planting sites represent areas where Bacardi sources some of the botanicals and raw ingredients used in crafting its drink portfolio. “We care deeply about the farmers who grow our beautiful ingredients and take great pride in the strong relationships we’ve spent decades building with these communities,” says Dave Ingram, chief supply chain officer for Bacardi. “Planting these trees on their doorsteps is another way of giving back as we invest in their future and in protecting the environment for generations to come.” To mark the 161st anniversary, Bacardi will also plant 161 coconut trees in Puerto Rico, home to the world’s largest premium rum distillery where Bacardi rum is produced. The trees will help regenerate and protect a beach located near the Bacardi rum distillery, an area that has suffered significant hurricane damage in recent years.
In Bermuda, home of the Bacardi’s global headquarters, the company will plant 100 cedar saplings at one of the island’s nature reserves. A highly valued and symbolic tree in Bermuda, the cedar supports biodiversity by providing a crucial nesting site for birds such as the native Bluebird.
