Brewer does the right thing for beer lovers – and the planet

With the help of Sydney Water, however, Young Henrys has designed a trade waste system that involves treating the remains of the brewery process before discharging it, as untreated waste can cause problems for the city’s wastewater system.

Part of the water-saving initiatives includes the installation of a specific mash filter that reduces water consumption in the production of its beer. The mash filter ensures 40 per cent less water is used in the production process compared to traditional breweries. It’s just one of four breweries in Australia to implement the unique equipment.

For Sydney Water, the partnership with the beer company is one of many with businesses across the city to reduce water usage and trade waste.

Jennifer Ison, Sydney Water business customers operations manager, said the agency was working with many other organisations to implement water conservation methods.

“Water is a precious and finite resource. We all need to be really conscious of that,” she said.

In the past few years, smaller companies have started to push for more sustainable and eco-friendly business models, Ison said, which has been reflected in consumer demands as well.

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Manly Spirits co-owner Vanessa Wilton said embedding sustainable practices at the Sydney distillery had been part of the business plan since it opened its doors in 2017. The distillery has got solar panels on its roof – which provide about 40 per cent of its required energy, sends its spent whisky grain to farmers for cattle feed and provides used gin-infused raspberries to a local baker. The company also recycles its old alcohol bottles into glassware.

“I believe as a global citizen and business owner I should do my part,” Wilton said. “I want to do my little bit and I believe the consumers want products made more sustainably.”

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