Embracing its commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability, Allagash Brewing Co. just announced the establishment of its Recycling Co-Op. The collaboration invites local breweries to bring their hard-to-recycle materials to the Allagash warehouse where it will then be collected and properly recycled. Pilot partners in the Co-Op include Maine Beer Co., Bissell Brothers Brewing and Foundation Brewing Co.
The Recycling Co-Op at Allagash is an idea that came from the Green Team, a group of sustainability minded employees within the brewery. They recognized that the brewing process relies on some materials that local recycling companies either can’t process, or need to receive in bulk shipments to make sure the materials are processed correctly. Materials like this include: shrink wrap, grain bags, PakTech carriers, metal caps and cages, corks, and more. Additionally, many smaller breweries don’t have the bandwidth, nor the space, to aggregate these sorts of materials to make them recyclable. Allagash is now coordinating a program where smaller breweries can drop off their recyclables at the Allagash Warehouse — making the entire Portland brewing community more sustainable in the process.
“We recognize that brewing is a resource-intensive process. So, it’s our responsibility to constantly evolve our practices to reduce our environmental impact and offset where we can. By working with our local brewery friends and accumulating these necessary, yet hard-to-recycle, items in one place, we’re streamlining a critical part of the sustainability process,” said Jason Perkins, brewmaster and VP of brewing operations at Allagash Brewing. “We’re proud to put this program into place, and look forward to welcoming many partners both inside and outside the brewing industry. The more action we can take collectively, the better.”
The Recycling Co-Op is in addition to the existing consumer-facing Allagash Recycling Program — through the Allagash tasting room — which rewards customers with discounts when they drop off beer-related recyclables at the brewery. Every bag of recyclables they drop off equals one digital “punch.” After six punches, that guest gets 20 percent off their next purchase at Allagash. Accepted items include Paktechs, natural corks, bottle caps and cages, air pillows and brown packing paper.
In addition to its recycling programs, Allagash engages in a wide array of efforts to help track and lessen the environmental impact of its brewing operation including its One Million Pounds of Local Grain initiative, partnership with Sebago Clean Waters and more.
Throughout the month of April, Allagash will be sharing updates on its sustainability practices across its website and social media platforms. Learn more on allagash.com and connect on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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