Waste Not, Want Not
Here's what our overall waste picture looked like in 2008:
But we don't like to include spent grain, which goes to a local cattle farmer, in our waste data because you lose granularity on everything else. So, here's what the data looks like without it:
This is information we can use. In 2007, we set a waste stream diversion goal (not including spent grain) of 95%. So, we're well on our way. Last year, we reported a diversion rate of 73.3%. Several reasons for the dramatic improvement: (1) a new sorting station in the kitchen, with a much more pleasant compost receptacle, as well as composting crocks throughout the offices; (2) a six-sigma glass project in packaging that reduced glass waste by 39% (but glass is recycled, so the decrease would actually hurt the ratio); and (3) according to the data, a 67% reduction in landfilled waste. We can't brag about that reduction though because in 2007 we had to use weight estimates from the EPA Standard Volume to Weight Conversion Factors. In 2008, Gallegos, our trash hauler, helped us get actual weights for most of our containers, most of the time. Gallegos can't weigh dumpsters, so our EH&S coworkers did it manually with a forklift scale. They compiled months of actual weights to get a common average weight. There's so much data collection in sustainability work!
Finally, here's what is in our compost and recycling:
What would be really useful is knowing what goes to the landfill, but that's data I'm not anxious to collect. Actually, we do have some idea. Much of it could be recycled or composted. Supersacks from speciality grains that we can't buy in bulk are also going in the landfill because they are a blended mix of paper & plastic. We are reducing our use of supersacks and searching for alternatives to landfilling. At the end of 2008, we eliminated the need for supersacks for organic grain by installing additional bulk grain silos. We are also talking to some companies who might be able to use discarded supersacks as in input for their products.
Three last notes: BBRP in the recycling graph stands for the Brown Bottle Recycling Program. Read about Rob the Bicycle Courier picking up bottles from local bars and restaurants and bringing them back to the brewery, so that they can be turned into new bottles on page 10 of our 2007 report. And sludge, shown in the first graph, comes from our process water treatment plant, and is land applied for soil conditioning. Check out the 2007 report (p. 14) to learn about Oberon, who just completed their pilot project here to turn sludge into fish food. They are ready for commercial scale production! Finally, we are researching ways to use our spent grain on site to create energy.
Next week, utility data. Remember, if you're a stakeholder--and really, who isn't?--we warm to your involvement in the reporting process!
Cheers,
Jenn
Comments
In the "2009 Sustainability
In the "2009 Sustainability Series Tour, I'm not sure if you recognize that you have made an err in your ad that your company placed on page 35
Is states: Kim, Jeff and the rest of the employee-owners of New Belgium Brewing would like to thank the following for making our FOLLY possible:.......
Now, unless I'm wrong or I am missing the Pun you are (maybe) making, but the definition of FOLLY is: "Lack of good-sense. I just thought you would like to know about the err, considering the business you're in.
But please I am not trying to make trouble or make you look bad......
I'm sorry for having bothered you about such a matter. I wish you nothing but the best and that your future is a successful one.
I will think of BBRP every
I will think of BBRP every time I burp. Matter fact, I think it should be marketed...."bbrp!"
Follow Your Folly is deeply
Follow Your Folly is deeply ingrained in our company ethos.
But isn't Folly a lack of good sense; a foolish act or idea? Au contraire we say at New Belgium. Folly is freeing. Folly laughs at the status quo, protests mediocrity, sings in the blind alley and celebrates the wild hare. It's relevant irreverence. It’s living like there is a tomorrow.
Our Folly is Beer. Really good beer. Our folly is also a near-constant tinkerering with our company practices to make them more sustainable. Employee-owned since 1996. Wind powered since 1998. Striving to honor nature at every turn of the brewery. Tastes great, Less landfilling.
Thumbs up to being free to
Thumbs up to being free to make good beer, follow wild ideas and do so without the typical carbon-footprint that other companies leave.
Cheers to New Belgium Beers!
great post! Thanks for
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I think the best thing is that you are not putting a lot in the landfill. You are definitely making an effort to recycle. I think this is so good to see. More companies should do this more.
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I think you are doing an amazing job with this. You are not wasting a lot which is so good to see. Keep up the good work.
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We need to follow certain
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Its rose and crown pub in
Its rose and crown pub in Palo Alto held a brewery night last Wednesday featuring the beers from New Belgium Brewing Company.
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We've always known in belgium how good whole grain breads are for all of us.
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Rap is that distinct horrible music that you constantly hear at your highschool pass4sure 220-701, or on the street if you live in a city, or on the radio, or on TV. It can be identifyed by the "drum" beat that continually loops over and over.pass4sure 646-204 Often, listeners of rap identify the pass4sure 642-812 quality of a rap "song" by how "phat" its beat is, or something like that. Another major characteristic of rap, is the stupid ass fucking shitty pass4sure N10-004 lyrics that a bunch of "bad ass muthas" try to sing over the equally stupid ass fucking shitty drum machine and synthesizers. These lyrics are basically always about how they just busted a phat cap in their homeez azzes. Or about how "life is hard in the ghetto". Nobody fucking gives a shit how life is in the ghetto, last time I was in the ghetto my wallet got stolen, so shut the fuck up.
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Most of the waste products
Most of the waste products come out from kitchen. Most of them can be recycled and reuse. The practice of using polythene plastics should be discarded, as they are harmful to our surrounding and environment. As the global warming is accelerating we should be more conscious. We should do what we are capable of from our sector rather than blaming someone else.
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Before 2006, New Belgium
Before 2006, New Belgium distributed in only 15 states (Washington, Oregon 642-902, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico,North Carolina, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Colorado). New Belgium expanded operations in 2002 to be able to distribute to California. In spring350-030 2006, the brewery began to distribute some of their beers in other markets. Bottles of Fat Tire distributed in Chicago claim "Chicago Inaugural: The70-6401st Fat Tire Ale served (legally) in the second city." In June 2007 Fat Tire, Skinny Dip, 1554 and Mothership Wit became available in Illinois. By the summer of 2007, New Belgium expanded distribution SY0-201again to include select areas of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Minnesota metro area and Iowa. As of July 2008, Fat Tire, 1554, Mothership Wit, a
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