Sustainability initiatives of Clonakilty Distillery

The Clonakilty Distillery from Ireland has outlined a number of pledges in an attempt to increase awareness of sustainability and will focus on reducing overall energy usage with the aim of eliminating the use of single-use plastic from their whiskey packaging by the end of the year.

The purpose behind these commitments is to increase biodiversity in Clonakilty by working with the local community to provide food and habitat for native birds, bees, and insects. The distillery has outlined a number of commitments, including planting over 100 mature trees and 400 natural hedgerows and shrubs by 2023, as well as establishing a permanent wildflower meadow.

Other sustainability commitments of the distillery includes that by the end of 2022 the distillery will reduce its average glass weight by 15 percent. By 2025, a minimum of 40 percent recycled glass will be included in the standard bottles of the distillery, with the intention of increasing this even further as technology allows. By 2025, the distillery has promised that 100 percent of packaging materials of the distillery will be reusable, recyclable and/or compostable.

The distillery has also promised to continue assisting local charities and groups on a yearly basis, as well as creating and cultivating relationships with local sustainability community groups.  By 2023, 100 percent of its production will take place in the local area and community and this will involve processes such as blending, bottling, and packaging.