Hyundai is the first carmaker to join Global Zero Waste

Hyundai Motor Brasil has formalised its membership of Global Zero Waste, the international NGO leading innovation and implementation in the circular economy. With this agreement, the South Korean firm makes history as the first assembler in the global automotive sector to join the initiative, taking on a key role in developing technical and educational solutions to reduce the impact of waste on the environment.

As a member of the organisation, the Brazilian subsidiary will work on creating management strategies and methodologies that the industry can replicate internationally.

A commitment to lead industrial transformation

The alliance seeks to drive sustainable production models and share environmental best practice to inspire other players in the sector.

"This new agreement signed with Global Zero Waste is another step for Hyundai as an active agent in the change we must promote across the whole industry. As the first affiliated assembler, we have recognised and award-winning environmental initiatives and policies that can and should be shared globally to inspire good practice. The alliance with such an important NGO will drive new solutions that contribute to a better relationship between companies and the environment, and to a more sustainable future".

— Ricardo Martins, Administrative Vice President of Hyundai Motor Brasil.

The technical framework: the Zero Waste Management System and the 9 Rs

Global Zero Waste is the creator of the Zero Waste Management System (SGZW), a technical standard designed to optimise the flow of materials and increase efficiency in waste management.

The SGZW brings operational efforts together under the 9 Rs of the circular economy:

1. Refuse: prevent the use of single-use or non-recyclable materials.

2. Rethink: redesign products and processes with ecological criteria.

3. Reduce: minimise waste generation at source.

4. Reuse: extend the useful life of materials and parts.

5. Repair: restore products so they keep their original function.

6. Restore: upgrade older goods to bring back their usefulness.

7. Remanufacture: return parts or components to factory condition.

8. Repurpose: give discarded parts or products a new use.

9. Recycle: turn waste into raw material for new production cycles.

The central aim of this model is to reduce reliance on final disposal methods — landfill, dumps and incineration — by returning resources to the value chains.

Success stories: circular economy applied at the Piracicaba plant

The Zero Waste vision is already reflected in concrete projects inside Hyundai's industrial complex in Piracicaba (São Paulo):

• Sealant recovery: waste from the polymer sealant used in body painting is turned into inputs for making non-slip products.

• Cigarette butt recycling: through a technological process developed in Brazil, the butts collected at the plant are processed into cellulose pulp, used to produce handmade and recycled paper.

Global network and ESG goals

By joining the international network of Global Zero Waste, Hyundai reaffirms its commitment to sustainable development and the responsible management of resources.

• To find out more about the programmes and the Zero Waste standard, visit the official Global Zero Waste site.

• For more on the brand's environmental projects and sustainability strategy, visit the portal of Hyundai ESG

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