To this end, JBS USA has set aggressive 2020 goals. Each facility has developed water, energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals, which have been aggregated to form corporate goals.

The management approach at JBS USA is focused on continuous improvement in operational efficiency, innovation and compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations. The Company’s internally audited Environmental Management System (EMS) is based on the specifications of ISO 14001 and directs specialized environmental teams to: recognize the environmental aspects and impacts of their specific facility, establish objectives and targets to reduce potential impacts, assign roles and responsibilities, identify team members and positions whose responsibilities may impact the environment and provide them the appropriate operating procedures, and addition to implementing an efficient monitoring and measurement program for each environmental aspect.

Water

Water availability and quality are pillars in our sustainability program. We work to improve water-stewardship efforts by monitoring use at facilities, while always preserving high standards for food safety and sanitary conditions and continuing to advance water reclamation efforts. Some facilities are located in water-stressed areas and require a more strategic focus to ensure proper management of this resource.

At JBS USA operations, in addition to a corporate target to reduce water consumption intensity by 10% from 2015 to 2020, there are also individual targets by business unit and facility. Every facility has ownership to work toward its individual reduction goals by managing critical topics and is tasked with responding to unique local challenges and determining the most effective approach within its context, including withdrawal sources, discharge destinations, wastewater treatment programs and reuse and recycling strategies. JBS USA works closely and collaboratively with federal, state and local municipalities to address complex issues and jointly develop solutions.

Water risk assessment is an element in the management strategy and allows us to identify and prioritize specific water resource projects that are locally relevant to each watershed and reduce the Company’s overall water impact.

The Company tracks both total water use and water intensity (water use per pound of finished product, including co-products) to consistently identify opportunities for improvements, irrespective of changes in production. The greatest opportunity for water reduction is through water recycling projects, in addition to increased operational efficiency. Our facilities focus on reuse initiatives, including elaborate recycle systems that allow previously used water to be reused in other areas of the facility, wastewater to be reused to flush animal pens to potable water to be used to recover wasted heat (from rendering cookers, for example) before being reused as heated water throughout the facility.

JBS facilities by water risk category*

*does not include data regarding Tulip’s operations

Effluents

The quality of water returned to nature is also a priority. That is why the Company continuously works to make sure that reclaimed water meets or exceeds all regulatory requirements.

Each production unit has a water reclamation treatment program specifically tailored to that facility’s effluent discharge permit requirements. These programs help to reduce total discharged water volume and address noncompliance issues. All feedlots and hog operations are managed in accordance with legally mandated nutrient-management plans or equivalents. Manure also generated plays an important role, since it is composted and used by local farmers to enhance soil quality in place of synthetic fertilizers.

In feedlots and hog operations, surface water and groundwater are protected by appropriately sized and sealed retention ponds that hold all storm water runoff. Collected water is then used for dust control or to irrigate surrounding farmland.

The Company strives to capture the greatest amount of reusable product from wastewater treatment to reduce nutrient loading in discharged water. In 2019, the Tolleson, Arizona facility reduced organic waste production by removing and capturing a greater amount of tallow during the water reclamation process. The project captures on average 12 pounds of tallow per head, saving the facility significant water treatment costs.

Emissions and energy

GRI 305-4, GRI 305-5

Improving energy efficiency and reducing air and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are priorities at JBS USA. Especially in the communities where it operates, its impact on air quality are among the critical responsibilities for the Company.

JBS USA issues annual public reports on greenhouse gas emissions as well as data on fuel use, fuel use intensity, electricity use and electricity use intensity.

By 2020, JBS USA aims to lower electricity use intensity by 12%, natural gas use intensity by 20%, and greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 20%.

BS USA continuously invests in technologies that result in better recovery and monitoring of data from equipment with high energy consumption. In addition, the Company continues to invest in energy efficient technologies including LED lighting, real-time measurement devices and predictive maintenance, more efficient equipment, electrification of heating systems and transportation and more efficient refrigeration systems.

Eleven of the Company’s facilities use biogas as a renewable energy source and two have implemented solar systems. The share of indirect energy from renewable sources used at facilities in U.S. varies between 3% and 25%, depending on where the facilities are located.

JBS USA Hyrum, UT, Beef Production Facility

Waste and packaging

JBS USA’s commitment is to reuse or recycle the maximum amount of materials, with the goal of sending as little to landfills as possible. Each facility works to recycle material and reduce waste by optimizing facility logistics and team member training.

One waste management, recycling and cost reduction strategy has been to work with third-party companies in each facility. They are responsible for conducting a gap analysis, identifying opportunities for continued improvement and adopting best practices. Working with our local teams and third-party partners at the facility level has resulted in a greater capacity for JBS USA to tailor its waste and recycling approach.

One important attribute of our business is to make use of byproducts, such as blood, meat and bones, to serve as raw materials for new products. Nearly 100% of inedible byproducts are rendered to produce tallow and blood and bone meal, which are sold to other companies to be used in consumer goods, such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals or in livestock or poultry feed.

Unfortunately, packaging poses a unique challenge for the food industry, as appropriate recycling facilities are not available to all customers or end-users. In addition, packaging materials that come into contact with blood, meat or fat cannot be recycled. We are working across a number of industry collaborations to partner on ways to enhance recyclability of our packaging materials.

In Europe, Moy Park was the first poultry company to undertake a commitment to reduce packaging and food waste in its value chain. The initiative is part of an ambitious campaign to combat the use of plastics and packaging in its business and in the industry. The Company plans to lower its global use of packaging by 5% each year, while simultaneously raising the percentage of recyclable packages by 5%. This target is part of the “Remove, Reduce, Recycle and Research” strategy adopted by the Company.

Among actions planned, Moy Park will collaborate with researchers and supply chain partners to develop sustainable packaging for its entire product portfolio and will eliminate single use plastic from its office and restaurants by 2020. The business will begin using 100% recyclable rigid packaging by 2022. All other packaging will be widely recyclable by 2025.