Heineken UK releases new sustainability report

03-Feb-2022 - Last updated on 03-Feb-2022 at 10:57 GMT

The Pub of the Future: Heineken UK release new report examining key sustainability trends (Credit: Getty/Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd)

Heineken UK has released a new report examining three key sustainability trends shaping the hospitality industry: innovation in infrastructure, environmentally friendly experiences, and serving up a sustainable offering.

The Pub of the Future: Sustainability Edition report, is the second of its kind from the operator and was informed by leading technology researcher, Elena Corchero.

The report aimed to uncover what the future of sustainability holds and how businesses can reduce carbon footprint as well as advice from on-trade operators, suppliers, independent experts, and Heineken UK specialists.

Heineken head of sustainability Chelsey Wroe said in the report: “As we look beyond the coronavirus pandemic and through to economic recovery, one topic is firmly on the agenda; sustainability.

Exciting innovation

“Customers are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious, and businesses are increasingly adapting to these changing expectations.

“This has created exciting innovation within the UK on-trade, resulting in an opportunity for the industry to be proactive and look ahead to what the future has in store.

The report suggested a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions could be achieved by switching to a renewable energy supplier in the next one to two years and predicted in the next five to 10 years every business will be part of waste management programs run through 5G networks.

It also stated changing just half of dairy to non-dairy alternatives could collectively save up to 700 tonnes of carbon, according to the Net Zero Pubs and Bars Initiative 2021.

Operators investing in Heineken SmartDispenseTM draught technology have already collectively saved 110m pints of water and 396 tonnes of CO2 while Heinekens SmartDispense™ Cellar Manager, can reduce consumption by 36% by measuring the temperature of the beer and cider at the keg rather than the air temperature of the cellar.

Important to be focused

Independent tests confirmed this saved on average 5,221Kwh annually, reduced carbon footprint by 1.11 tonnes (also referred to as CO2e number3) and an average energy cost saving of £9,404.

Wroe added: “Sustainability means different things to different people, whether its recycling, food waste, CO2 emissions or ocean pollutants, there are so many initiatives you can implement to reduce your impact and improve your business.

“As a starting point it’s important to be focused, look at the things you’re already doing well and the simple changes you can already make.”