Raising a Glass to Sustainability in the Spirits Industry for Earth Month
Earth Month is a time to reflect on our planet and commit to sustainable practices. This is particularly relevant for the spirits industry, which relies heavily on clean water, other natural resources, and agriculture. Embracing sustainability isn't just good for the environment; it's also good for ensuring long-term viability of the spirits we all love. As we like to say here at New Dawn, “Say no to bathtub gin, and yes to sustainable practices that will insure quality spirits for years to come.”
So what is the spirits industry's environmental impact?
The production of spirits has a few steps, and each step can hurt the environment:
Raw Material Sourcing: Lots of spirits need grains, fruits, and other farm products. If farms don't grow things sustainably, it can ruin the soil, pollute water, and kill off lots of plants and animals.
Water Usage: Distillation uses tons of water. If the water isn't managed well, it can put stress on the local water supply.
Energy Consumption: Distilleries need energy for heating, cooling, and running machines. Using too many fossil fuels creates greenhouse gasses.
Waste Generation: Production makes waste, like used grains, stillage, and packaging stuff. If this waste isn't disposed of properly, it can pollute the environment.
What is New Dawn doing to be sustainable?
Sustainability practices at New Dawn encompass the entire supply chain and we are constantly updating our practices as innovative approaches arise and our economic structure allows. A few practices we’re proud to champion:
Delicious grains, sourced sustainably: We work with distilleries that source their grains from farms that use organic, regenerative, or other sustainable farming methods.
Water is life and we’re protecting it at every step: Our distillery partners implement water recycling systems, reducing water usage in cooling processes, and treating wastewater before discharge. In fact, they’re using a closed-loop process so nothing goes to waste on top of using their own well supply so that they don’t put pressure on local water systems.
Nothing goes to waste, just reuse: Spent grains are either composted or sent to local farms as feed.
Lowering our carbon footprint: Not only do we use recycled or biodegradable materials for our bottles and labels, but by using the same bottles as our distillery partners, bottling onsite to leverage bulk shipping, and maintaining warehouses on both coasts we are able to reduce our fossil fuel consumption from transportation..
When we can’t take direct action, we invest: Donating 1% of proceeds to water and climate initiatives that improve the health of communities. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
What can a spirited enthusiast do to help?
Sustainability actions don’t stop at the industry level. Spirits enthusiasts play a key role in supporting sustainability by recycling bottles and packaging, and by choosing brands that prioritize eco-friendly practices. This sends a message to the industry, encouraging more sustainable actions and contributing to a healthier planet.
Earth Month reminds us how important sustainability is for the spirits industry. When we work together to adopt eco-friendly practices and choose sustainable brands we can shrink our environmental impact and help create a healthier planet. Let's raise a glass to a greener future for spirits and our planet!
