This article is regularly updated with the latest sustainability developments across the sector.
JUNE
Liberty Wines powers warehouse with rooftop solar
Liberty Wines, which supplies pubs, restaurants, hotels and retailers across the UK and Ireland, has generated 376MWh of clean electricity in 10 months after installing a rooftop solar system at its Basingstoke warehouse.
The wine distributor installed a 521kWp solar array made up of 1,005 panels, which powers the warehouse and its electric vehicle fleet, offsetting 63% of the site’s energy use and cutting electricity costs by £86,480 since being commissioned.
The project was developed to meet strict insurance requirements linked to storing flammable stock, with safety features designed to reduce panel voltage to safe levels during maintenance or emergency access.
Liberty Wines is also using the system’s monitoring platform to assess whether adding a battery could further improve energy efficiency.
MAY
St Austell Brewery launches plantable beer mats
St Austell Brewery has launched biodegradable, plantable beer mats across its South West pub estate to mark the release of its latest impact report.
The seed embedded mats feature a QR code linking guests to the brewer and pub operator’s sustainability work across its breweries, pubs and drinks wholesale business.
Across its 45 managed pubs, St Austell now operates on 100% renewable electricity, while total waste has fallen by 49% since 2023. General waste has reduced by up to 40% year on year, recycling rates have doubled and all food waste is now diverted from general waste streams.
The brewer has also cut food delivery miles by 33% and increased the use of locally landed fish on pub menus by 20%.
Sustainability manager Emily Coon said the mats were designed to make sustainability “feel part of everyday experiences rather than something distant or abstract”.
The company, which was named Best Sustainable Pub Company at the 2026 Publican Awards, has committed to reaching net zero ahead of the UK’s 2050 target.
Young’s receives three stars in SRA’s Food Made Good Standard
Young’s Brewery has received the top three star rating in the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s Food Made Good Standard for 2026.
The group, which operates more than 280 pubs, was recognised for its work across sourcing, community impact and environmental responsibility.
The assessment highlighted Young’s seasonal menus and procurement approach, including locally sourced ingredients, sustainably sourced seafood and support for community allotments.
Its waste reduction work was also recognised, including pub level monitoring, dishes designed to use whole ingredients, used coffee ground donations and recycling cooking oil into biodiesel.
Young’s sustainability manager Aimee McDonald said: “We’re incredibly proud to receive the top three star Food Made Good rating, which recognises our ongoing commitment to improve our environmental footprint.
“Sustainability at Young’s is not a single initiative but a long term commitment, embedded in how we source, operate and support our communities.”
MARCH
Stonegate removes more than 90,000 single use bottles
Stonegate Group has removed more than 90,000 single use bottles from its waste stream as part of a wider circular economy programme across its estate.
The initiative includes trials of refillable spirits vessels at Slug & Lettuce sites and an expanding bottle reuse scheme across more than 100 venues.
The company also reported zero waste to landfill, an 18% reduction in energy use since 2023 and a 14% fall in water consumption since FY21.
Chief executive David McDowall said: “I’m really pleased with the progress we are making on our sustainability journey. Working in partnership with our suppliers allows us to make genuine progress while operating more efficiently.”
St Austell Brewery hits 100% food waste diversion across managed pubs
St Austell Brewery has confirmed that 100% of food waste from its 45 managed pubs is now diverted from general waste into anaerobic digestion or redistributed through food sharing app Olio.
The milestone follows the launch of its Operation Segregation initiative in 2025, which introduced improved waste sorting, staff training and clearer site signage.
The programme has helped deliver a 16% drop in general waste and a 49% reduction in total waste since 2023.
Sustainability manager Emily Coon said: “Operation Segregation is all about cutting waste at the source and ensuring valuable materials don’t end up where they shouldn’t.”
FEBRUARY
Beartown Brewery invests in refurbished barrels to cut costs and carbon
Cheshire based craft brewer Beartown Brewery has invested in 200 refurbished plastic beer barrels as part of efforts to cut costs and reduce its environmental impact.
The barrels were acquired from a brewery that had ceased trading and refurbished before being added to Beartown’s existing fleet. The brewer estimates the move will avoid around £10,000 a year in keg rental costs while the lighter barrels could also help reduce fuel loads on regional deliveries.
A spokesperson for Beartown said the move was a practical step for the business, adding: “Sustainability isn’t something we talk about lightly. It’s about taking real, measurable steps that improve how we operate day to day.”