BetterBev helps regional craft beverage manufacturers target their business goals
From Staff Reports
As part of a coalition of New England states, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection is promoting a new free environmental sustainability recognition program for craft beverage manufacturers. The BetterBev Green Craft Beverage Recognition Program is offered to breweries and other craft beverage manufacturers throughout Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
BetterBev helps craft beverage producers review their facility operations, identify process improvements and reduce business costs and their carbon footprint, awarding them an official seal. With consumers and businesses realizing the importance of environmental responsibility, the program works to mitigate and measure positive change for both bottom lines and broader impacts. For beverage producers that invest time and resources in sustainable practices, BetterBev will help them gain efficiencies and receive recognition as a green business.
Most craft beverage producers already have a strong culture of sustainability and a desire to protect natural resources and the environment for future generations while crafting the finest beverages, “We must constantly assess the impact our actions have on the environment, so we believe a beverage producer’s focus should be on continual improvement,” said Luke Truman, Sustainability Coordinator for the Craft Beverage Sector Program at the New England Environmental Finance Center, located at the University of Southern Maine. “We’re grading ourselves against a constantly moving target, so we created the BetterBev program with a mindset of consistent effort, striving for improvement over time.”
Breweries, for example, constantly heat, cool and clean their operations, presenting excellent opportunities for cost savings. Similarly, side-streaming, reuse and recycling strategies can minimize the environmental impact of spent grains, wastewater discharge and packaging.
Another aspect to this program is safer cleaning practices. BetterBev works with the Toxics Use Reduction Institute’s Cleaning Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts Lowell to identify high-performing, cost-effective cleaning practices and chemicals that reduce health and safety risks.
According to the Brewers Association, the New England region is home to more than 600 craft breweries, not including other craft beverage producers such as distilleries, wineries, cideries and meaderies. While these businesses create jobs, boost tourism and promote economic development, they also use resources intensively.
BetterBev works with all interested craft beverage manufacturers, helping them identify steps that meet their financial, operational and strategic priorities. Participating companies drive their continuous improvement by measuring and assessing waste generation, energy use, water consumption and material inputs, such as raw materials, packaging and cleaning products.
The program uses the following criteria to review facility operations and generate technical recommendations: environmentally responsible sourcing, water usage, wastewater reduction, stormwater management, energy efficiency and conservation, CO2 use and emissions, cleaning and sanitizing, waste reduction, packaging format and materials, and environmental culture.
There are currently three Connecticut breweries in the program: Kent Falls Brewing Co., Black Pond Brews and Nod Hill Brewery. “Black Pond Brews is excited to be an early participant in the BetterBev program for a number of reasons. We pride ourselves on actively trying to become more carbon neutral and have more of a positive effect on our environment and community, and this program lets customers know that,” said Mike Teed, Co-owner, Black Pond Brews. “We are proud to be part of this program and would encourage other breweries to join as well.”
Learn more and apply for the program by contacting the CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection at connie.mendolia@ct.gov or by visiting betterbev.org or scan the QR code below.
