Agave 100: Climate Circularity

Agave 100

Agave 100: Climate Circularity

Transforming agave waste into clean energy, soil regenerators, and animal feed—cutting 2M tons of CO₂ annually while creating rural green jobs.

Irapuato, Gto., México

MEX

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

The agave industry, a cornerstone of Mexico’s rural economy, generates massive waste, with 95% of each plant discarded during tequila and mezcal production. This waste, including 1.3 million tons of leaves, 522,000 tons of bagasse, and 7 billion liters of vinasse annually, generates an estimated 2 million tons of CO₂ equivalents as it decomposes. These byproducts are typically abandoned to decompose, contaminating soil and water sources while representing lost economic opportunities for rural communities in Mexico. This environmental crisis also reflects a profound economic inefficiency. Underserved rural communities, where agave farming is often the primary livelihood, are excluded from the potential value of this biomass. Despite booming global demand for agave-based products, there is no system in place to capture or commercialize the agricultural byproducts. Farmers and producers face a lack of infrastructure, incentives, and sustainable alternatives. Current waste management practices are linear, fragmented, and largely unsustainable. A scalable, inclusive solution is urgently needed. Agave 100 addresses this by applying circular economy strategies that convert agave waste into valuable products such as livestock feed, energy pellets, cooking fuel, and pet care substrates. Our model reduces emissions, creates new income streams, and builds long-term climate and economic resilience in Mexico’s agave regions.

Agave 100 transforms the 95% of agave waste typically discarded during tequila and mezcal production into four sustainable product lines through our circular economy technology. Our solution processes agave byproducts—leaves, bagasse, and vinasse—using specialized pelletizing equipment that converts these materials into valuable resources. Our technology platform creates: 1. Agave Forage: fiber-rich livestock feed pellets that reduce reliance on imported feed. 2. Energy Pellets: a renewable fuel alternative for industrial boilers that replaces diesel and LP gas. 3. Cooking Pellets: premium grilling fuel made from agave and wood blends that enhance flavor while lowering emissions. 4. K-mita: a biodegradable, chemical-free pet substrate made from vegetable fibers, suitable for small animals. Our model mitigates approximately 2 million tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions annually while generating new income streams in agave-growing regions. The entire process is designed for scalability, replicability, and long-term environmental and economic impact. By applying circular economy principles to an underutilized resource, Agave 100 turns an environmental liability into a catalyst for sustainable development, green jobs, and rural prosperity.

Agave 100 serves rural communities in Mexico's agave-growing regions, particularly farmers, agricultural workers, and small-scale producers who currently receive minimal economic benefit from the agave waste stream. These communities face economic hardship due to the linear production model that discards 95% of the agave plant, representing lost income opportunities and environmental degradation in their localities. Our circular economy solution transforms this waste into four valuable product lines, creating new revenue streams and local employment opportunities throughout the supply chain. By establishing collection points for agave byproducts and processing facilities in these regions, we generate sustainable livelihoods while reducing the 2 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions that currently affect these communities' air and water quality. For agave farmers, our solution provides additional income from previously worthless plant components. For local workers, we create manufacturing jobs in rural areas with limited employment options. For small producers, we offer partnership opportunities to diversify their businesses beyond traditional spirits production. This approach improves air and water quality by preventing open waste decomposition, while creating long-term, dignified livelihoods. Agave 100 empowers communities to shift from waste to wealth, using circular economy innovation to address both economic inequality and environmental harm at the local level