StateWays is the only magazine exclusively covering the control state system within the beverage alcohol industry, with annual updates from liquor control commissions and alcohol control boards and yearly fiscal reporting from control jurisdictions
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w w w.BevInfoGroup.com 16 Beverage Information Group • Sustainability Guide 2016 "We have already met our 2020 goals for GHG here in North America, but we remain focused on further improvements," comments Harris. The North American region leads Diageo's business in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with two major distilleries fueled exclusively on renewable energy/biogas. Since 2006, Bacardi rum production has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 48%. The company-wide goal is to cut GHG emissions by 50%. At Destillería Serrallés, carbon dioxide is captured during fermentation and sold to a local soft-drink producer to carbonate soda pop. Offsetting carbon footprints is another strategy. It is estimated that one tree absorbs 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide in its lifetime. McCormick Distilling Co., maker of 360 Vodka, planted indigenous trees on 40 acres of the land around the distillery. Brooklyn Brewery partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant 375 acres of trees, which will offset 1,500 tons of CO2. Patron Spirits traded some of the compost it makes from processing waste for 10,000 trees, which will be planted around Hacienda Patron in Atotonilco. REDUCING WASTE "Reducing waste to landfill can result in being compensated for recycling, or eliminating waste streams altogether, both of which contribute favorably to the bottom line," remarks Harris. Diageo's global goals target achieving zero waste to landfills by 2020. At New Belgium, "we divert 99.9% of our waste materials from landfills," says Wallace. At McCormick, spent grains are dried for use by local farmers as animal feed. "There is almost no waste produced in the creation of 360 Vodka," says Hale. Brooklyn Brewery also recycles its spent grain as animal feed. And the brewery repurposes retired barrels as furniture in its tasting room. "One of the largest issues for all spirits producers is the large amounts of waste water produced," says Serralles, who holds a Ph.D. in environmental studies. His first job at the Destillería Serrallés was to implement a waste water system. "The goal, first and foremost, was to make sure not a single drop of our waste water ends up in the ocean." Here's how: First, anaerobic digestion bacteria reduces up to 60% of the organic matter. The secondary stage is an aerobic digestion system where waste water is bombarded with oxygen for bacteria to work, which removes 99% from water. The result is irrigation-grade water. Extracted organic waste is mixed with wood chips from old pallets and barrels to turn it into organic compost. Both will be used for the sugarcane plantation when it comes on-line. "Production of Tequila generates two waste byproducts: one is the leftover agave fiber, the other is liquid with organic matter," says Soltero at Patron. The waste water is treated with reverse osmosis filtration, reclaiming water for cooling and cleaning use. What's left is mixed with the leftover agave fiber to create compost, which is returned to the agave fields as fertilizer. "It completes the cycle," notes Soltero. Little changes can add up. In honor of World Water Day, Bacardi ceased the use of plastic straws and stirrers in cocktails served at visitors' centers and in- house corporate events. Bacardi estimates its efforts will keep 650,000 straws and stirrers out of landfills each year. "Already, one-third of our manufacturing sites have achieved 'Zero Waste to Landfill' status," says Torruella, and globally no more than 0.5% of the total waste is sent to landfills. INNOVATIVE PACKAGING Like other components of beverage alcohol, packaging has an environmental footprint. And the amount of eco- impact of the various choices is not always clear. Cans are lighter than glass bottles, which means that shipping costs and carbon footprints are less. However, aluminum cans are made from bauxite, which itself has environmental challenges. Glass bottles, on the other hand, are made from readily available silica sand. Water and energy are expended in the making of both containers. And both are usually made partly from recycled materials. However, the heavier bottles are more expensive to ship to recycling centers. Plastic containers are also an option, but not yet wholly accepted in the U.S. market. ECO STRATEGIES SINCE 2006, BACARDI RUM PRODUCTION HAS REDUCED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 48%. THE COMPANY-WIDE GOAL IS TO CUT GHG EMISSIONS BY 50%.