Carlsberg Sees Coal-Free Power Generation Within Four Years

Danish brewer Carlsberg is committed to obtaining all of its energy from renewable sources and eliminating the use of coal by 2022. With the energy storage market expected to double six times over the next 12 years, Danish brewer Carlsberg is exploring integration methods for energy storage to support and optimize onsite renewable power generation. Carlsberg’s director of environment and utilities told a webinar that storage solutions are being explored as only one part of the energy matrix. The company considers battery storage a supplementary solution along with solar projects. Carlsberg is one of only three major companies that has approved a science-based target to reach a 1.5 C ambition in line with the Paris Agreement. It sources 45 percent of its electricity onsite, but storage solutions aren’t as advanced as onsite renewables. 

"Carlsberg exploring energy storage to supplement onsite generation", Edie.net, June 08, 2018

Mexico’s AvoWater Arrives Soon In U.S. In Biodegradable Bottles

The founder of Mexico’s Grupo Escamp says it is finalizing modifications to packaging and labeling and will launch its avocado drink AvoWater in the U.S. within two or three months. The preservative-free RTD water, made with avocado, fresh lemon juice and peppermint, is rich in fiber, vitamins and protein, says Evelyn Escalera. It is sold in three sweetener variants: stevia, pure cane sugar and blended sugar-stevia. The drink is packaged in PET bottles, but the company recently rolled out 100 percent biodegradable bottles made with avocado seed resin. AvoWater will be sold in 500 ml and 360 ml bottles in the U.S., about half and half PET and biodegradable. 

"AvoWater primed for US expansion and focused on biodegradable bottling", Beverage Daily, June 15, 2018

In India, Coca-Cola Learned A Lesson About Addressing Community Concerns

People in communities around the world where Coca-Cola bottlers operate know that water is the main ingredient in the company’s products and assume that production consumes vast amounts of water. When the people of Kerala, India, accused the local Coca-Cola bottler of depleting the water supply – the company denied the charge – it dawned on executives that it needed to “address its responsibility for water” beyond the confines of the plant. The company launched a risk assessment, interviewing customers, supply chain partners, academics, NGOs, governments, and industry peers. The conclusion: “action on the state of water was necessary.” Coca-Cola realized that a sustainable approach to water was essential. But the assessment also shed light on the fact that the social aspects of water use, especially local community concerns, need to be addressed when implementing strategic goals.

"How Coca-Cola came to terms with its own water crisis", The Washington Post, May 31, 2018

U.S. Organic Coffee Producer Chameleon Debuts Sustainability Program

Texas-based Chameleon Cold-Brew has launched a global sustainability program that hopes to create five community-driven coffee farming projects in four countries this year that will lead to better organically-grown coffee and improved farmer livelihoods. The company says it believes strongly that empowering farmer-partners with “proper tools, resources, and support” will drive sustainability at the grassroots level. The company’s first two projects include the completed Cenfrocafe Coffee Quality lab in San Ignacio, Peru, and the Myanmar Organic Initiative. Chameleon was founded in 2010 and acquired by Nestlé USA in 2017. It uses only certified organic, responsibly-sourced coffee.

"Chameleon Cold-Brew Launches Multifaceted Sustainability Program", Bevnet.com, June 21, 2018

Polish Student Invents Edible Vegetarian Packaging Made From Kombucha

Edible packaging is becoming a reality with the creation of Scoby, the brainchild of Polish design student, Roza Janusz. With the potential to help reduce the use of plastic in packaging, Scoby is a vegetarian wrapping material made by mixing sugars and other organic substances with kombucha, a fermented drink produced with yeast, bacteria, and tea. During the process, the biocellulose membrane forms on the surface of the mixture and layers into a sheet-like material, similar to how an onion grows. With its long shelf life, Scoby can be used to wrap farmers' produce including vegetables, fruits, herbs, and seeds. It can also be used to pack instant meals. Given Scoby's acidic PH level and mineral compounds, it can also be used by farmers as a natural fertilizer. While Scoby is not yet available in the market yet, Janusz said plans are in the pipeline to make this alternative packaging commercially available soon.  

"This new edible packaging is grown from kombucha", Fast Company Design, May 16, 2018