Plastic pollution is one of the biggest issues we face as a society when it comes to the negative effect it has on climate change. Everywhere we look, plastic bottles are strewn about, and microplastics are making it into our food and drinks. One company, Koskenkorva Vodka, is looking to solve this issue by leading the way in being a sustainable beverage company. According to Statistica, the biggest plastic polluters on the planet are beverage companies.
Koskenkorva is leading the way in the green beverage space, having won the Drinks Business Green Company award in 2018. In the village of Koskenkorva, they are the forerunners of circular economy. The Koskenkorva distillery runs mostly on bioenergy generated by their own bioenergy power plant. They use 100% of every single barley grain, their recycling and reutilization rate is 99.9% and they’ve managed to reduce their CO2 emissions by 50%.
They also educate their farmers, measure soil nutrient levels and protect groundwater areas to reduce the impact of our production on the environment, and they’re not done yet: they aim for fully carbon neutral production by 2025 and increased use of regeneratively farmed barley.
50% DECREASE IN CO2 EMISSIONS SINCE 2014
At the Koskenkorva distillery, they have our own bioenergy power plant. It is especially designed to use the barley husks that are left over from the distillation as fuel for producing steam energy, which is then used for the distillation. Thanks to the renewable fuel, they have been able to decrease their CO2 emissions by over 50% since 2014, and they are now 60% self-sufficient in terms of steam generation for the distillery.
SUSTAINABLE VODKA COMPANY: 99.9% RECYCLING RATE
As mentioned, plastic pollution in the beverage industry is a major issue. Koskenkorva’s distillery’s recycling and reutilization rate is 99.9%. Which means they recycle literally everything. Like the ashes from their bioenergy plant that they use to fertilize the barley fields.
INCREASED USE OF REGENERATIVELY FARMED BARLEY
Focusing on more environmentally friendly farming practices is a crucial part of Koskenkorva’s sustainability journey and that’s why they are aiming at increasing their use of regeneratively farmed barely. Regenerative farming fights climate change by converting fields from emission sources into significant carbon sinks. It improves biodiversity, keeps nutrients from leaking into water bodies, and provides more and better crops at the same time.
In 2021 they launched Koskenkorva Vodka Climate Action – the first vodka in the world made entirely from regeneratively farmed barley. Read more here.
SUSTAINABLE VODKA COMPANY
It is important for companies to lead the way in sustainability. As we face bigger and bigger issues regarding climate change, every single person, organization, and company needs to do what they can to be proactive in making a change. Be sure to support Koskenkorva on your next birthday party, anniversary, 4th of July celebration, or backyard BBQ with your friends.
