GREEN IS GOOD FOR SIERRA NEVADA

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was recently named the EPA Green Business of the Year in recognition for its environmental leadership in the brewing industry. The brewery was honored at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 12th annual Environmental Awards Ceremony held in downtown Los Angeles, California, in late December. Since 198O, Sierra Nevada has consistently implemented sustainability policies and projects that reduced the company’s environmental footprint across all of its operations. The brewery implemented a zero-waste policy – diverting 99.5 percent of its solid waste from the landfill through source reduction, recycling and composting. Sierra Nevada has made significant investments in renewable power, which now supplies 85 percent of the company’s electricity needs. The company has reduced its water use year after year, and has also implemented an innovative water recycling program. Beyond its own operations, the brewery is working with its suppliers and partners to reduce the impact of their products. Sierra Nevada is the largest buyer of organic hops in the country, and established a “Farm with your Brewer” program to encourage small hops farmers to adopt sustainable practices.