In the current context of increasing pressures to which production and consumption subject the world’s resources and the environment, the concept of the circular model perfectly meets the need for sustainable development.

The concept of the circular model is based on a fundamental paradigm shift: unlike the linear model, which starts from the material and proceeds to production, ending the cycle at the waste stage, the circular model follows a process in which today’s products become tomorrow’s resources. In this way, the value of materials is preserved or recovered as much as possible, and waste and environmental impact are minimised. It is only by transforming waste into resources that great added value can be achieved, which has always been a core concept for the Gonnelli family.

Therefore, looking at the oil mill from the perspective of a circular model may represent a new opportunity for a ‘seasonal’ sector such as the production of extra virgin olive oil. In fact, the Santa Téa oil mill is equipped with a plant with two production lines designed within the company workshop so that the final product preserves its natural organoleptic characteristics over time. In the pursuit of the best quality, the same care is given to the company’s olive grove, which has been considerably expanded over the years to ensure total control of the supply chain. Today it counts on 48,000 trees of different cultivars, all certified according to current Organic Farming regulations, without the use of pesticides or fertilisers.

Our policy has always been to regenerate the soil and the plant: this allows us to achieve quality production while respecting the land and the environment. The growing need for a sustainable approach is also reflected in our choice of packaging, which we strive to choose carefully in accordance with our corporate values.

In 2018, a plant for self-generation of energy from renewable sources was installed at the mill: this allows the production of around 55,000 kWh of energy per year, more than 90% of which is self-consumed.
Therefore, over the last two years 100,000 kWh and 8.6 TOE have been saved, in addition to the avoidance of 53 tonnes of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.