Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) produces one of the world’s top five consumer products, as well as four of the top 10 selling beers world-wide. How do they make sure that their beer is sustainable down to the last sip?
Hugh Share is AB InBev’s Global Director, Beer & Better World. In an interview, Share told WaterWideWeb, “High quality water is fundamental to our business. It’s the principal ingredient in our beers and soft drinks”.
Water is used in the beer brewing process, for cleaning materials, and steam production. To ensure quality products and a future market for them, AB InBev must use water responsibly. The AB InBev company is a participant of the UN CEO Water Mandate. When it comes to saving water, they mean business—sustainable and profitable business.
AB InBev is taking concrete steps in order to fulfill their vision of becoming the Best Beer Company in a Better World. Reaching this lofty goal requires concentrated effort and consistent internal oversight of industrial water and waste water management policies.
Sustainability management practices are advised by the Voyager Plant Optimization (VPO) global management system. This three pillar plan aims to increase brewing efficiency while decreasing monetary and environmental costs. The VPO assures that water consumption levels are in sync with the Environmental Policy and Strategies adhered to by AB InBev.
“Our global water usage target is 3.5 hectoliters of water for each hectoliter of production by the end of 2012”, confirmed Share. AB InBev breweries are sharing best practices in water conservation to ensure that each brewery is consistently improving on water use practices.
Industrial waste water management is a key issue companies such as AB InBev must carefully consider. Treating industrial waste water is crucial to protecting local communities where breweries and plants are located.
Untreated industrial waste water that is released into the environment can have dire consequences for agriculture and livestock in communities close to industrial plants. When it comes to industrial waste water treatment and disposal, global corporations can never be too careful or responsible.
AB InBev utilizes either an on-site pretreatment followed by a municipal water treatment process or only a municipal water treatment to control its industrial waste water quality. Reliance on only municipal water treatment can be inconsistent and leaves quality control out of the hands of developers at AB InBev.
In 2010, AB InBev built or upgraded 12 biotreatment systems, with an additional 20 scheduled by 2012. Currently, 25 breweries use Bio-Energy Brewery Systems (BERS) that capture methane leftover from the brewing process. This methane is then used to produce steam needed in other facets of the beer brewing process.
A corporation is only as sustainable as its grassroots employees. “A key aspect of our water saving approach is engaging our employees at all levels to indentify water saving opportunities”, continued Share. Realistically, a corporation could execute innumerable sustainable development initiatives without making a single step of progress towards water conservation. Unless employees from the brewing process to the shipping department are educated on the best ways to conserve water, these efforts will be unfruitful.
AB InBev enlists the support of employees at all levels in the effort to save water. In 2010, the company celebrated the United Nations World Environment Day. Employees rolled up their sleeves and participated in over 550 facility and community projects. Over half of these projects were water focused and included a river cleanup program.
Thus far, progress has been measured in the decrease of water usage of AB InBev overtime. In 2009, AB InBev used 8.5 percent less hectoliters of water per unit than in 2008. The company has used 14.5 percent less water hectoliters of water per unit since 2007. The company will witness a 30 percent reduction in the company’s global water usage by the end of 2012.
In the world of corporate social responsibility and sustainability, terms such as water conservation and usage reduction can be nebulous phraseologies that should be qualified. When organizations assert that they have reduced water consumption, statistics should reflect if that number indicates a decreased level of initial water intake versus a decreased amount of water use from previous years.
AB InBev has an incredible opportunity to make a water world of difference in developing innovative strategies in water and wastewater management and conservation policy. In partnership with the UN CEO Water Mandate, AB InBev can further enhance the movement towards sustainability, bearing in mind the human right to water.
Standards established by AB InBev are rooted in global environment efforts to build a better world. Concrete action plans implemented by AB InBev can be enforced and steadily improved over time. Successful efforts by AB InBev and similar corporations will have a positive impact on local communities where breweries are located.
AB InBev encourages consumers to drink responsibly, and consuming water irresponsibly on their behalf would be hypocritical. From Bill in the brewery, to Sam in shipping, and the execs in global marketing, AB InBev can continuously reinvent the corporate sustainable wheel. Then, they will in fact provide better beer in a better world.
If you enjoyed this article, you should also read:
The Coca-Cola Company: Sustainable Business
The Starbucks Venti Plan for Saving Water
Your Comments
2 Comments so far