Sustainability & Environment

At Garcia de la Cruz we are proud to produce 100% organic extra virgin olive oil and our commitment to taking care of the environment is a top priority. We use the most responsible and advanced agricultural techniques including monitored drip irrigation and fertigation, a drip fertilization technique, to care for our fields.

We believe in eliminating waste completely and that nothing should be lost, and everything is preserved. Our sustainable practices are based on the circular economy — we continuously recycle all of the organic matter generated in our olive groves. For example, after the oil is extracted from the olive, we are left with water, skin, pit and pulp. These leftover portions of the olive are composted and transformed naturally into organic fertilizers, which are then returned to the olive grove. Additionally, the pits are used as biofuel to heat our facilities.

Local Wildlife

Our brilliant olive grove landscape provides a safe haven for natural wildlife to take refuge—including many bird species and a beautiful Imperial eagle. It is common to spot him flying about, and because of this, our area has been officially classified as a special protection area for birds (known as ZEPA in Spain). It is important to our family to continue to preserve and nurture our land to ensure these birds and other flora and fauna remain in their natural habitats.

“THE EARTH GIVES TO US SO WE GIVE BACK TO THE EARTH”

Sustainability & the Environment

At Garcia de la Cruz we are proud to produce 100% organic extra virgin olive oil and our commitment to taking care of the environment is a top priority. We use the most responsible and advanced agricultural techniques including monitored drip irrigation and fertigation, a drip fertilization technique, to care for our fields.

We believe in eliminating waste completely and that nothing should be lost, and everything is preserved. Our sustainable practices are based on the circular economy — we continuously recycle all of the organic matter generated in our olive groves. For example, after the oil is extracted from the olive, we are left with water, skin, pit and pulp. These leftover portions of the olive are composted and transformed naturally into organic fertilizers, which are then returned to the olive grove. Additionally, the pits are used as biofuel to heat our facilities.

Local Wildlife

Our brilliant olive grove landscape provides a safe haven for natural wildlife to take refuge—including many bird species and a beautiful Imperial eagle. It is common to spot him flying about, and because of this, our area has been officially classified as a special protection area for birds (known as ZEPA in Spain). It is important to our family to continue to preserve and nurture our land to ensure these birds and other flora and fauna remain in their natural habitats.

“THE EARTH GIVES TO US SO WE GIVE BACK TO THE EARTH”

GARCÍA DE LA CRUZ – SDGs

The Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by all Member States in 2015 as a universal call to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. SGDS are special because they address issues that affect us all and invite us to create a more sustainable, secure and prosperous planet for humanity.

For this reason, García de la Cruz joins the commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by implementing concrete measures in its activity.

How do we do it?

OUR PRIORITY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

META ODS PROYECTO
8.1 Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries. 99% of suppliers are national.
8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors.

Plans to increase production, investment in infrastructure.

Investment in the plant of
composting.
8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.

Almost all the employees come from the area.

Internal training and promotion programs.
8.4 Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production, with developed countries taking the lead. Increasing organic production.
8.8 Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.

Operational changes are communicated to employees in a timely manner.

80% of the workers have permanent contracts, the permanence is encouraged.

Safety clothing is made available to employees.
8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products. Plans to promote oil tourism in the area.

 

META ODS PROYECTO
12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

Use of materials that meet responsible production standards.

Use of recycled PET.
12.4 By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. Use of eco-friendly detergents.
12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

Second life to office supplies.

Reuse of all by-products of the oil production process.
12.8 By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.

Training is given to the entire value chain on responsible consumption and the benefits of organic products.

Newsletter where responsible consumption approaches.

 

META ODS PROYECTO
15.1 By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

Collaboration with associations that care for the ecosystems in the area.

Soil remediation with by-products.
15.2 By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. Increasing organic production.
15.5 Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. Felling and clearing the forest in cooperation with the EU to keep the countryside clean.

 

OUR SECONDARY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS