Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
How should drinks brands approach sustainability as a strategic business consideration?
Sustainability is increasingly table-stakes rather than a competitive advantage in the drinks industry. Members report it's now a baseline customer expectation rather than a selling point, and most established brands have made it central to their business strategy. Key approaches members are taking: - **Integrate into core strategy** — Make sustainability central to future decision-making and new product development (NPD) from the outset, not as an afterthought. - **Avoid greenwash** — Members emphasize it must be genuinely important (personally and professionally) rather than superficial messaging; authenticity matters. - **Treat as table-stakes** — The consensus is "everyone is doing it these days," meaning sustainability is now an expectation rather than a differentiation tactic. Caveats: The community discussion suggests this is a live, evolving conversation. Members are actively discussing how to implement sustainability meaningfully rather than how to use it as a marketing angle, indicating the landscape is still maturing.
What sustainable branded merchandise platforms do drinks industry founders recommend?
Members have identified two key platforms for sustainable branded apparel that avoid overproduction waste. - **Teemill** — Print-on-order model means stock is only made when ordered, preventing excess inventory ending up in landfill. Members praise the quality and durability of both fabric and print. The platform uses 100% recycled cotton and plants trees with orders. Easy to set up, and members have successfully integrated it into their brand presence (example shop: avallen.teemill.com). Fabric feels high-quality on the skin. - **Brand Stamp** — Described as sustainable with high-quality output and low minimum order quantities, making it accessible for smaller brands. Both platforms appeal to founders wanting to avoid the traditional merchandise model of bulk production and excess stock. The on-demand approach is particularly valued for its environmental credentials.
What are the best approaches for implementing reverse logistics to collect bottles and packaging back from consumers sustainably?
Reverse logistics for bottle collection is challenging but achievable through local, direct-to-consumer schemes. Members emphasise that reuse is significantly better than recycling for glass. **Practical approaches members are using:** - **Local bottle return schemes** — Several members are running local collection programmes with distributors and direct-to-consumer channels. One member reported collecting 60 bottles in a single day (their highest daily total), though typical weekly volumes are lower. These schemes operate on a smaller, hyperlocal basis rather than national scale. - **Direct relationships with smaller distributors** — Larger distributors typically won't engage in reverse logistics due to operational constraints, but smaller, more flexible distributors have proven willing to participate in return schemes. - **D2C (direct-to-consumer) collection** — Members are launching dedicated reverse logistics for direct sales channels, which offer more control over the collection process than traditional retail. **Key insight:** Members note that most mainstream distributors find forward logistics challenging enough and won't entertain reverse pickup. The feasible approach is building your own local schemes rather than relying on existing distribution networks. **Caveats:** This is early-stage work for most practitioners. The volumes are modest and consistency varies. Reuse-focused schemes require higher operational involvement than pure recycling but deliver substantially better environmental outcomes.
What disposal or reuse options are available for spent brewing materials like juniper and grains when local anaerobic digestion plants refuse to accept them?
When standard anaerobic digestion routes close—as happened recently when two major local AD plants refused intake—members have identified several alternatives: - **Animal feed** — Spent grains and similar brewing waste can be diverted to animal feed suppliers or farms as a feedstock. - **Specialty fertiliser projects** — Members have contacts developing waste-to-fertiliser conversion projects; reach out locally to see if your spent materials qualify as input feedstock. - **Food ingredient repurposing** — Spent berries and similar materials may have applications as marinades or other food products rather than waste. **Caveat:** Traditional waste removal (e.g., tank cleaning via Biffa) is costly—one member reported a £3K charge for tank cleaning—so these reuse routes are preferable where feasible. The two major local anaerobic digesters have recently tightened intake due to increased household waste volumes, so backup plans are increasingly necessary.
What is the carbon footprint of different glass bottle weights, and how much does reusing bottles reduce emissions?
Glass production carries a measurable carbon cost. **1.25g CO2 per gram of glass** is a widely referenced benchmark, originating from a 2007–10 US study by GPI and supported by similar findings in Bogaard et al (2014), though the figure varies depending on recycled content and transport distances. Bottle weights vary significantly: spirits bottles typically range from 765g (lightweight) to 920g (Long Island standard), while wine bottles often sit below 500g. **Reuse is dramatically more effective than recycling.** Members report that glass reused 7–10 times is considered to have near-zero incremental CO2 impact, though this specific claim lacks readily available published sources. One member has been running a bottle return scheme since 2018 and reports collecting up to 1,000 bottles annually. **Practical reuse strategies:** - **Local collection loops** — the most viable approach; one member works with local retailers (who offer consumers money off for returns) and local pubs (bottles collected during regular visits to avoid extra journeys) - **Consumer incentives** — offering donations to charity for returned bottles, or discounts at point of purchase - **Avoid national logistics** — most distributors struggle to handle returns at scale, so schemes only work regionally **Key caveat:** Transport distance and recycled-content percentages materially affect the baseline CO2 figure for any given bottle, making site-specific calculations essential. The research in this area is under constant review and relatively dated.