Beverage industry leaders from across the globe have convened in Amsterdam for the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) semi-annual meeting to discuss environmental sustainability within the beverage sector.
Heineken, which is headquartered in Amsterdam and has been a BIER member since 2010, is hosting the event that has brought together representatives across beer, spirits, carbonated soft drinks, juice and bottled water sectors. The three-day event is focusing on BIER’s work to reduce resource consumption, mitigate impacts and ensure the sustainable continuity and future of the beverage sector.
“We are very pleased to be welcoming representatives from the key global beverage companies to our historic brewery in the heart of Amsterdam,” said Vera Zandbergen, Heineken’s Manager of Global Sustainable Development. “BIER provides a unique opportunity for members to share best practices and to challenge perspectives about environmental sustainability across our industry.”
“BIER encourages collaborative action on the sustainability dimensions most relevant to the beverage sector and it helps to keep our joint agenda focused,” she added.
One of the ways BIER says it aims to bring about positive environmental change in the sector is through engagement with key stakeholders. In Amsterdam, stakeholders from Sustainable Agriculture Initiative and Unilever will share insights and best practices around sustainable agriculture applications and driving sustainable practices through the supply chain. Through this collaborative approach, BIER says it seeks to accelerate the process of analysis to sustainable solutions and raise the bar for environmental performance of the beverage sector.
Current BIER initiatives include defining context-based metrics for water use and efficiency benchmarking, developing energy assessment tools to help prioritize and mitigate climate change impacts across the beverage industry supply chain, and establishing better understanding of beverage container recycling rates worldwide.
In related news, Monadnock Paper Mills, which manufactures technical and specialty printing and packaging papers, recently announced the availability of an uncoated product designed specifically for craft beer made from 100 percent FSC-certified, post-consumer waste fibers.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and two-dozen other craft brewers also recently partnered with the Natural Resources Defense Council to support strong clean water policies. The “Brewers for Clean Water” campaign focuses on protecting the brewing industry’s key ingredient: clean water.
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Founder, Hower Impact
Mike Hower is the founder of Hower Impact — a boutique consultancy delivering strategic communication advisory and support for corporate sustainability, ESG and climate tech.
Published May 15, 2013 1am EDT / 10pm PDT / 6am BST / 7am CEST