Komos & Sustainability
Tequila Komos, together with their distillery partners, are working to build sustainability practices in Tequila, Mexico.
Repurposing Agave Waste
We have partnered with our distillery partners to create an environmental not-for-profit organization The Komos Foundation which repurposes byproduct waste from tequila production, turning it into adobe bricks. We then use the bricks to build housing, schools, and other local infrastructure projects in the community, leading the process from design to construction.
The project expands upon Komos co-CEO, co-founder, and master distiller Richard Betts’ previous work in Oaxaca. He was struck by the amount of waste that is created in the spirit production process. As much as 15lbs of fiber waste (bagazo) and 10L of liquid waste (vinaza) is created for every 750ml bottle produced. He saw a unique opportunity for a new solution using an age-old building technique in the region—adobe bricks. Betts pioneered a process of using that waste to create adobe bricks for local infrastrucutre in the Tequila community.
Supporting the Tequila Community
The bricks are being produced onsite at Orendain’s La Mexicana distillery, the number one visited distillery in Mexico. The distillery’s hands-on visitors center showcase sthe bricks initiative and function as a teaching center. Guests also have the opportunity to make donations to further fund projects in the community.
Additionally, we have partnered with Iteso Universidad, a local university, where students receive college credits for their work with the project. The great minds from this next generation will help us continue to innovate and further the reach of our sustainability initiatives.
The Future of Tequila
The heart of this endeavor is to implement sustainable solutions that have a truly significant impact on the well-being of individuals and the local community. A number of other distilleries in the Tequila region have already begun to join us, leading to what will be the largest sustainability initiative in Tequila, Mexico.
Today, the first schoolhouse built by The Komos Foundation using the byproducts of tequila production stands open in Amatitán, Mexico.
Now, 39 more kids will be able to attend school this year. It’s the first project of many, and we’re just getting started.
Follow @KomosFoundation for the latest news on our sustainability efforts in Mexico.
