Scotch whisky industry sets itself a zero waste target
The Scotch whisky industry has embraced sustainability measures and it is close to a zero waste target, according to a new report.
The Scotch whisky industry has embraced sustainability measures and it is close to a zero waste target, according to a new report.
Measures include a reduction in the use of fossil fuel and investment in renewable technologies - all of which are part of a Scotland-wide Environmental Strategy that applies to the entire manufacturing sector.
The strategy launched in 2009 and set out a number of targets, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, moving away from fossil fuel and sending no waste from packaging operations to landfill.
The latest annual report from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) revealed that the industry is close to achieving its zero waste target with 5% of waste being landfilled last year. Greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by 10% since 2008, despite spirit production increasing by 11% to meet growing global demand for Scotch whisky. Renewable energy use reached 16% from 3% in 2008.
Case studies of industry initiatives in the report include Diageo’s investments in Speyside in a new biomass plant at Glenlossie and a new anaerobic digestion plant at Dailuaine. Tomatin near Inverness is the first distillery to install a wood pellet fuelled steam boiler in its production process to reduce carbon emissions.
In a different type of project, Chivas Brothers is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by introducing an electric car fleet.
Julie Hesketh-Laird, SWA director of operational and technical affairs, said: “At a time when the industry is growing its distillation capacity in Scotland, green investments are at the heart of companies’ commitments.
“Renewables projects in-particular have caught the imagination of the Scotch whisky industry and have attracted multi-million-pound capital investment.
“There are excellent examples of the commitment to sustainability from a number of Scotch whisky producers in this year’s report. They provide a snapshot of the type of projects distillers are investing in.
"The industry is committed to sustainability and will continue to work hard to meet its environmental targets.
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