simple + green

New Belgium Brewing Company, the maker of Fat Tire, Blue Paddle and Sunshine Wheat, is a sustainable company. Pretty impressive when you consider how ubiquitous they’ve become.

They have a portion of their site dedicated to sustainability as a core value (in addition to philanthropy and ownership).

How does a brewery maintain a sustainable production? Here are 5 ways they do:
1. By increasing efficiencies in the brewing process.
2. Utilizing green design throughout their building.
3. Implementing a process for treating their wastewater.
4. On-site energy production, and wind-powered electricity since 1999.
5. Actionable advocacy and sustainable eventing.

Also, within the ‘What Can You Do’ section is a list of 10 ways to live with better sustainable values. Here is the list, but the descriptions for each are so eloquent, you really need to visit the site and read through the entire piece:

1. Have patience
2. Hang your clothes out to dry
3. Love your neighbor
4. Put on a sweater
5. Bike, walk, bus, or just stay home and relax
6. Support local agriculture
7. Drink tap water
8. Use your own shopping bag
9. Unplug

The final point in the list may be the most impressive:

10. Unplug, really…
Take regular hiatuses from the cyber world that has crept into nearly all aspects of modern American life. Schedule them if you must, but really unplug for a while. Leave your iPod at home, don’t bring your cell phone every time you leave the house, keep your computer off for the entire weekend, don’t get in your car, and refrain from using any power at all for even a ½ day. Your body, heart, and mind will thank you.

Check out the sustainability portion of the New Belgium Brewing Company website.

Plus - their beer is outstanding! A vote for New Belgium.