From the field our brewing barley grows in, to the beachside, lakeside or country pub you drink your pint in, our environments deserve protecting – and we are raising a glass to doing just that this World Environment Day.

Sustainability isn’t always the most straightforward, but change happens through all of us. Our choices have the power to shape industries and redefine our future. We’ve started several initiatives in our brewery and pubs to reduce our waste output, and we have some tips for how you can get involved too.

How are we working towards a more sustainable future?

Refuse

1. We refuse single-use plastic wherever possible. We request our food suppliers to deliver as little packaging as possible whilst still ensuring product safety, our guest rooms boast fabulously nourishing shower amenities in refillable bottles, we are working on ditching coffee station UHT milk, and of course, not a plastic straw in sight!

Reduce

1. In our pubs we regularly monitor and measure our food waste using the WRAP Guardians of Grub method to ensure that our preparation, spoilage, and plate waste remains as close to zero as possible.
2. To package our beer bottles ready for transportation to shops and pubs, we use 30% recycled content shrink-wrap and are currently trialing a 50% version.
3. We’ve shifted our seasonal and limited brew pump clips from plastic to wood. If they are not brewed forever, there’s no need for the pump clips to be here forever!

Reuse

1. During investment projects, furniture and working condition appliances are refreshed and reused, or redistributed to other pubs or the local community.
2. We collect leftover table tap water and melted ice in our pubs to water our plants.
3. Our menus are printed on thicker paper so we can clean and reuse them until our next menu change.

Recycle

1. We separate food, paper, card, glass, plastics, and cans from non-recyclable waste at our brewery, head office, and all our pubs.
2. At our brewery site we have a ‘care to share a spare’ cupboard of good condition uniform and are trialing a textile recycling scheme for worn-out uniform and PPE in partnership with our uniform supplier.
3. We are exploring a recycling route for our used cask shives with Veolia, our waste management contractors.

Working with your local pub!

Refuse

1. Drink in with us. Your drink tastes better in a proper glass or mug, and it saves single-use waste – cheers to that! In a rush and can’t stay long? Refuse takeaway coffee cups and bring your own for us to fill.
2. Popping in mid-walk? We will fill up your water bottle for you!

Reduce

1. Food waste by only ordering as much as you need – there’s always the dessert menu … or a takeaway box if you need it (bonus points if you bring your own).
2. Want to try a new drink but nervous committing to a whole pint? Ask us for a taster – you can sample all draught beers, most wines, or catch the aroma of a gin you’ve been eyeing up.
3. Water is a finite resource essential for life. Help us to save every drop by turning off taps, and reporting any leaks you may spot to our team.

Recycle

1. Help us to recycle more in pubs by reducing contamination. If you choose a canned or bottled drink, please don’t put any crisp packets or napkins inside them.
2. Corona with a lime? Ask for a glass so the lime doesn’t get trapped inside the bottle!

There are many ways we can come together to reduce our impact on the environment — and by working as one, our collective efforts can make a real difference. Got any ideas on how we can do things better? Let us know so we can get to work on it!