ESG SUSTAINABILITY
as supply chain owners and founders and executives that really control what choices consumers have . We don ’ t want to overmarket what we ’ re doing here either ; it comes across as really disingenuous . A lot of the stuff we do , you won ’ t find on our packaging or our social media . At the end of the day , being eco-friendly shouldn ’ t be a marketing point – it should be the standard .”
KEEPING THE WEST WILD The industry has a fair bit to go before eco-conscious is the standard , but many companies , including craft distilleries , are pushing to make sustainable practices the norm . High West Distillery in Park City , UT , is highly involved in the community .
“ High West doesn ’ t exist without sustainability as part of our ethos ,” says Daniel Schear , general manager . “ Making great whiskey depends on having great grains and great water . Welcoming people to our home in Park City depends on a beautiful and safe natural environment . And for lots of people , it depends on snow !”
The company has witnessed firsthand how the West has been impacted by an increasing number of wildfires , continually changing climate , severe droughts , drier forests and reduced snowpack . “ No snow , no water , no beautiful mountains , no High West .”
Cognizant of this fact , the distillery has enacted multiple eco-conscious practices to help offset the pollution and waste that results from the distilling process . “ Grain used in whiskey distilled on site is sourced from producers within a day ’ s drive to reduce freight miles ,” Schear says .
All of the electricity used across all High West sites is offset by renewable energy credits , he adds . Spent grain is sent to an anaerobic digestor , producing methane gas to power the Salt Lake City electrical grid , and chilled glycol cool sthe still instead of water , reducing water consumption .
Funding has also been a huge focus for the distillery , beyond its own sustainable practices . “ High West has donated more than $ 1 million to nonprofits since our founding , with most funds benefiting organizations based throughout the West ,” explains Schear .
“ More than $ 700,000 of that specifically has benefited the American Prairie , as High West took note of the impact of climate change and homed in on its commitment to protecting our home in the West . We wanted to partner with organizations who share High West ’ s passion for the West and whose conservation efforts fall into three focus areas : the fight against wildfires , protecting winters and wildland preservation .”
WE LOOK AT SUSTAINABILITY ACROSS THREE PILLARS – OBVIOUSLY , BEING ECO-FRIENDLY , BUT ALSO ENGAGING CORRECTLY WITH THE COMMUNITY AND TREATING OUR COLLABORATORS THE RIGHT .
– Luis Baez , global brand ambassador for Flor de Caña rum
The donations go towards three charities that align well with High West ’ s mission . For instance , “ The Wildland Firefighter Foundation is dedicated to helping the families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and to assisting injured firefighters and their families ,” Schear says . “ They honor and acknowledge the past , present and future members of the wildland firefighting community and partner with private and interagency organizations to bring recognition to wildland firefighters .
Protect Our Winters is a community of athletes , scientists , creatives , and business leaders advancing non-partisan policies to protect our outdoor playgrounds from climate change , he notes . And American Prairie is creating the largest nature reserve in the contiguous U . S .
“ American Prairie grows over time by purchasing critical habitat that connects a vast network of existing public lands , creating a region that is managed thoughtfully and collaboratively with state and federal agencies for wildlife conservation and public access .”
8 ESG Supplement 2022