NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Commonwealth Brewery Limited (CBL) explores solar energy and eco-friendly packaging to advance the company’s sustainability agenda and reduce its carbon footprint.
Commonwealth Brewery began its green energy transition as part of its Environmental and Responsibility Strategy by onboarding Electric Vehicles (EVs) into its Nassau fleet.
The company has added three EV chargers to its JFK locations to support its shift to low-emission vehicles.
“Incorporating clean energy technology into our operations remains a priority, particularly with the increased frequency of hurricanes and impending climate impacts.
“Establishing a reliable and resilient energy network for our operations is critical to maintaining jobs and contributing to the local economy,” said Kendria Ferguson, Corporate Relations and Sustainability Manager.
CBL’s Clifton Pier location is where several well-known customer favorites’ are brewed, bottled and packaged, including KALIK, Guinness, Eclipse, Ricardo Rum and Vitamalt.
CBL’s Engineering Manager, Edbert Beneby, noted, “CBL is committed to aligning with the current world standards of reducing its carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.
“Electrical power is crucial to our production processes and contributes up to 40 percent of our total power requirements.
“The current high cost of electrical power and the looming potential of continuing cost increases presents CBL with the opportunity to invest in renewable energy sources, which will help control operating costs, keeping our company viable and competitive in the local market.”
To complement the benefits of electric vehicles and solar energy ventures, Commonwealth Brewery is also examining its value chain and product packaging design to ensure that the company takes a holistic approach to becoming climate positive and investing in eco-friendly products.
Commenting on the transition, Procurement Manager, Philippa Huyler, added: “We live our HEINEKEN Values of Care for People & Planet. Keeping sustainability at the forefront of our innovations extends throughout our Procurement processes.
“Therefore, we are adopting eco-friendly materials that allow us to maintain the look and feel of our packaging and the value that we all love.”
In 2021, CBL transitioned to a ‘one-way’ glass bottle which uses up to 30 percent less glass to produce and is more environmentally friendly.
This switch came as the previous glass return program presented low return rates and sun-baked labels, rendering most of the bottles unusable.
While the company has plans to revisit its national recycling program, efforts to engage suppliers and review alternative product materials for some of its leading brands are ongoing.
As CBL looks toward future growth, potential financial savings are welcomed, especially as the company continues to recover from the pandemic economic fallout and the loss of its warehouse and retail outlets due to Hurricane Dorian.
“Our team is continually looking at its business model to identify climate-smart investments that will strengthen our business outlook and climate-proof our operations,” notes Ferguson.
To date, CBL has begun collecting necessary energy data to develop the best plan for the company’s ground-mounted solar installation.
The investment in renewable energy is one of several initiatives the Brewery is implementing to reduce its carbon emissions and contribute to HEINEKEN’s global ambition to decarbonise its production by 2030 and its total value chain by 2040.
For CBL, both agendas present a unique opportunity to support The Bahamas’ national strategy to expand its renewable energy integration and achieve its 30%-by-2030 renewable energy goal.
The support and involvement of the private sector in national energy and waste strategies is critical for small islands like The Bahamas. Despite an unstable few years, CBL remains committed to doing its part to assist the country and Government fulfil its Sustainable Development Goals, strengthening the local energy sector and reducing the negative environmental impacts of waste products.
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