Sustainability at mexico

At Mexico, we recognise the importance of the Hospitality industry being more sustainable and ethical


We all need to do our bit to help keep New Zealand (and the planet) clean and green so we're committed to making our restaurants more sustainable and ethical with food, liquor and our operations.

We're constantly reviewing ways we can improve sustainability practices in our business,
from our suppliers to our restaurants, and even to your door with our recyclable and compostable take-away packaging.

One study shows that 1/3rd of waste in the New Zealand hospitality sector comes from food waste, post-consumption. Our staff are always happy to guide you through ordering to make sure you get the perfect amount of food for your table. But when you really want that second bowl of Fried Chicken and it turns out your eyes are bigger than your stomach, we provide take-away containers so you can save it for a late-night snack.

See below for how we are keeping sustainability in mind when we open our doors each day.
If you've got feedback on how we can improve, we'd love to hear from you.
Send us an email to hola@mexico.nz

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LIQUOR

We are proud to partner with Hancocks, the team that bring us Heradurra, Cointreau & el Jimador. They are a family business with family values that are committed to nurturing their people, planet, partners and community for future generations.

They have a 15 year commitment to sustainable designed office and work spaces. They work with socially and environmentally responsible suppliers, including Green Gorilla for sustainable waste solutions. Hancocks also manage their fleet vehicles to minimise fuel emissions.

Heradurra Tequila were the receivers of the 2015 Environmental Excellence Award from Mexico’s Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection. Less than 1% of the solid waste they generate goes to landfill and they have purpose-built wastewater treatment plants that allow them to exceed water discharge quality standards.

Heradurra also have a loyalty to the community that they work in and bought electricity and water to the city, supported in the construction of two local Red Cross elementary schools and aid in the planting of trees and fund orphanages and youth programs.

PACKAGING

Cups: Our takeaway cups are BioCups, that are sustainably sourced from managed plantations with a bioplastic lining made from plants, not oil.

Straws: We use BioStraws, that are made from FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper sourced from managed plantations.

Packaging: Our food packaging clamshells are made from rapidly renewable sugarcane pulp, a by-product of the sugar refining industry.

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FOOD

Our menu is seasonal, changing 2 to 3 times a year. We source our food from Service Foods who work with local growers and suppliers to provide us fresh ingredients for our dishes. All our protein is Free Range and Free Farmed.

To cut down on wastage in our restaurants we use pre-cut vegetables and take great care to order our supplies based on what’s in season, what’s available and always work with local suppliers to order what is in excess to further help reduce waste.

AUSTRALIA-NEW ZEALAND BETTER CHICKEN COMMITMENT

Our taco standards are high. And so too is our commitment to high animal welfare standards. By 2026, Mexico is committed to ensuring 100% of our chicken used meets or exceeds the Australia-New Zealand Better Chicken Commitment standards to do our part in advocating for a more sustainable and humane approach to food production.

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BEER

We source our Beer from Lion who are becoming Australia’s first large-scale carbon neutral brewer.

They have committed to brewing all of their beers with 100% renewable energy by 2025. They’re also highly conscious of the burden that decades of consumer waste has placed on landfill and marine ecosystems, and they’re working to make all of their packaging 100% recyclable, with at least 50% recycled content.

Since 2015, Lion New Zealand has been on a journey to minimise our impact on the environment and are pleased to share a significant milestone, as we become the country’s first large-scale beverage company to be Toitū carbonzero certified. Through their partnership with Toitū, NZ’s leading certification provider, Lion has accurately measured its operational greenhouse gas emissions and put in place strategies to manage and reduce Lion’s carbon footprint each year.

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OIL

Our used cooking oil is collected and goes into production of bio-diesel - a renewable fuel source that helps fight global warming.

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RECYCLING & SOAP

We recycle our waste where possible in restaurants. We use appropriate wastage, rubbish and recycle our glass, plastic, food waste and paper.


We use Plant Based chemicals, cleaning products and hand soaps/sanitizers in our bathrooms, kitchens and restaurants.

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PALETAS

Paletas are the company who create our Frida’s Margarita and Soda Syrups.

By producing a bespoke syrup and mixing these in our restaurants we avoid the packaging of individual drinks. This also reduces the volume of product being shipped around NZ . Half of our restaurants receive the stock within 20KM of manufacture. The others are sent a concentrate to reduce quantity of product shipped.

Ingredients – if its grown in New Zealand, its purchased from New Zealand, like Chelsea Sugar, Fruit; lemon, berries and plums. If not Paletas import via local suppliers, like pineapple and passionfruit. They very rarely airfreight and try to coordinate and formulate with what’s available. Paletas have fruit contracts in place for seasonal produce which gives local growers and suppliers certainty. They produce many of their own extracts with a focus on being Palm Free.

Waste – they have very little waste. Paletas production process avoids wastage of syrup with almost 100% yield. They select raw materials that avoid waste. They make weekly in small batches and manage run outs (for our new menus) as carefully as they can. They compost food waste.

Packaging – all of their packaging is from NZ. It’s a plastic bottle but they’ve been sure to use HDPE (No# 2.) so it can be recycled here in NZ. Their packaging is formed locally by a family business.

Recycle – they return the boxes and inners back to the manufacturer who re-uses them. Their labels and cardboard shippers are made here in NZ. The team also recycle their plastic and cardboard waste.