Australian breweries test renewable energy and reusable packaging

Australian breweries and researchers are developing ways to reduce the environmental cost of beer production, focusing on packaging, energy use, grain processing and waste. The Guardian reported that Australians consume an estimated 69 million litres of beer each year and dispose of about 17 billion bottles and cans. Fewer than half are recycled, while drinks containers remain among Australia’s most commonly littered items.

Some breweries are using renewable electricity and reusable containers. Melbourne’s Bodriggy Brewing Company became the second Australian and first Victorian brewery certified carbon neutral through the federal Climate Active programme. It has also bought a grain silo to reduce deliveries and helped design reusable keg lids.

Bodriggy senior brewer Andrew Joseph said sustainable brewing was the future of the industry and that consumer demand could encourage other breweries to adopt greener practices. The company plans further work on cleaning technology and electric vehicles. Researchers at Adelaide University are working with Coopers Brewery on barley varieties that dry more quickly during malting.

The aim is to reduce the energy needed during kilning, a process that commonly relies on gas. In Sydney, Young Henrys has installed solar power and buys renewable electricity for its additional needs. It is collaborating with the University of Technology Sydney on a reactor that captures carbon dioxide from fermentation and directs it to algae bioreactors.

The algae is blended with spent grain to produce livestock feed. A trial involving 80 sheep found that a testing panel believed meat from the animals had improved flavour and omega-3 content, although researchers are continuing to examine the project. The article also highlighted growlers and smaller refillable vessels as alternatives to single-use beer packaging.