Environment
Making sure we operate as efficiently as possible and do not waste natural resources helps cut costs. So it makes good business sense. But reducing our impact on the environment is also good for the planet and the communities in which we operate.
It is why we are absolutely committed to finding innovative ways to save water, reduce our packaging, increase recycling rates and lower our carbon emissions. In all of these areas we have set ourselves ambitious environmental goals to help meet our ambition to be the Best Beer Company in a Better World.
Packaging and waste
We are proud that Stella Artois was the UK’s first alcohol brand to sign up to the Courtauld Commitment, which aims to minimise the amount of packaging waste in the UK. In 2010 we introduced a new lighter weight Stella Artois bottle which cut CO2 emissions in their manufacture
All AB InBev UK brands are now signatories to Phase 2 of the Courtauld Commitment. This includes playing our part in achieving the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) with its targets, by the end of 2012, to reduce:
- The carbon impact of all grocery packaging by 10%
- Solid and liquid waste produced in the supply chain by 5%
- UK household food and drink waste by 4% by the end of 2012
We already recycle over 99% of our solid waste and by-products from the brewing process and have made significant improvements in reducing our CO2 emissions.
Water use
Water is the main ingredient in our beers. It is also used in the brewing process for cleaning, cooling and steam production. So we are acutely aware of the need to conserve water and use it as efficiently as possible. We also recognise that saving water helps us reduce the size of our energy bills.
As well as taking part in global initiatives such as the UN’s World Environment Day, we have been working hard here in the UK to reduce our water use. This includes using our staffs’ on-the-ground expertise to help us cut water and energy consumption.
Staff at our Magor brewery in Wales came up with more than 400 suggestions for reducing energy and water use. As a result we have invested £1.4m in new technology at the plant, enabling us to cut our CO2 emissions at Magor by 40% and water consumption by 46%.
