Sustainable Packaging South of the Border
Brad Addington
Sustainable packaging initiatives like those embraced by Mexico’s Grupo Bimbo will be recognized in September at the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) in Las Vegas.
As someone who majored in Latin American studies at university, I always enjoy writing about packaging news from south of the U.S. border.
And as it turns out, some recent packaging news from Mexican baking powerhouse Grupo Bimbo ties into the upcoming International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE), for which Packaging Strategies parent company BNP Media is a Bronze Media Sponsor.
Grupo Bimbo recently announced some ambitious sustainable packaging goals, and IBIE’s BEST in Baking Industry Awards will recognize sustainability in packaging.
Grupo Bimbo’s Goals
Alejandro Rodríguez, Global Leader of Packaging Technology at Grupo Bimbo, recently laid out the company’s sustainable packaging targets.
“This year, we’ve set an ambitious goal to have 100% of our packaging be recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable. We are one step away from achieving this historic milestone, as we have reached 94% progress,” Rodríguez said.
In the last year, Grupo Bimbo has reduced nearly 600,000 kilograms of materials in its packaging thanks to the optimization of thicknesses and dimensions. The company also has introduced recycled resins into its product packaging, thus reducing the consumption of virgin resins.
Previous IBIE show floor.
Courtesy of IBIE
“Designing fully sustainable packaging and reducing materials is a great first step. To continue advancing, we work on innovation and recovery fronts, and we do so internationally,” Rodríguez said.
Some examples:
- In Mexico, Grupo Bimbo collaborates with ECOCE — an organization focused on improving packaging design and recyclability — to collect flexible packaging. Additionally, the company’s logistics pallets are made incorporating 100% recycled materials, including at least 20% post-consumer packaging.
- In Colombia, residual plastic is transformed into reusable bags that Grupo Bimbo now uses internally.
- In Brazil, with the association Dê a Mão para o Futuro (Give a Hand for the Future), Grupo Bimbo managed to collect 100% of the plastic from its packaging that it brings to the market.
BEST in Baking Industry Awards
Companies like Grupo Bimbo with a strong focus on sustainable packaging and a circular economy will be among those recognized through the BEST in Baking Industry Awards, which will be presented at the IBIE event taking place Sept. 13–17, 2025, in Las Vegas.
Two award categories in particular tie into sustainable packaging:
Sustainability: Honoring advancements in equipment, ingredients, packaging, technology, and processes that improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and promote sustainability within the baking industry.
Sustainable Packaging Innovation: New for 2025! Recognizing bakery companies that have implemented sustainable primary or secondary packaging solutions.
A complete list of the award categories can be found here.
We here at Packaging Strategies and BNP Media look forward to celebrating the winners of these awards. See you in September!
