SUPPLIER PARTNERS
LION CO. JAMES BRINDLEY, MANAGING DIRECTOR
F
or us at Lion, sustainability is about doing the right thing for the long term. This extends to all aspects of our interaction with the community, including a deep commitment to being a responsible alcohol producer. This is especially important when it comes to our environmental impact as a large manufacturer. We are exploring innovative ways to better manage water within each of the communities we operate in. Water management is particularly paramount in Queensland, where in 2009 Lion commissioned a water recycling plant for the Castlemaine Perkins Brewery – setting out to halve the water used in brewing XXXX Gold. A decade on, the brewery is approaching world-class standards in water management and is continually pushing the boundaries of conservation. Lion is also investing in numerous renewable energy projects, including a new $2 million solar power system at the Castlemaine Perkins Brewery in Queensland, which will cut its annual carbon emissions by approximately 1,260 tonnes, and generate enough electricity to power one hundred
and fifty Brisbane households. Lion is committed to ensuring 100% of its consumer packaging is recyclable by 2025, and that packaging is made from at least 50% recycled contents in the same time frame. For more than twenty years, Lion has invested in improving our packaging, reducing litter and increasing the recycling of our packaging. We started phasing out plastic rings on beer packaging ten years ago and the last plastic rings were removed from Lion-owned products three years ago. Plastic pollution is a complex, global issue that Lion is tackling on several fronts, both at a supply and demand level. We continue to evaluate alternative packaging technologies to further reduce the reliance on single-use plastic. Secondly, since supply chain changes can take time, we actively support programmes, such as REDcycle, which raise awareness and encourage our customers to ramp up their recycling efforts. Lastly, we are working with industry partners, such as the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation, to develop broader industry solutions that minimise the impact of our packaging and promote the circular economy to
minimise waste in the environment. As I began, sustainability has a broader definition at Lion than just our environmental program. We have been the single-biggest funder of culture change organisation DrinkWise Australia since its inception, as we are focused on accelerating the improving statistics on alcohol consumption in Australia and targeting those that continue to drink in harmful ways. More recently, we, along with many companies, are focusing on mental and social wellbeing, in terms of both our employees and the community. One of the building blocks of a positive community is social connection, and we believe local pubs and clubs play an important role in bringing people together. The importance of being connected with friends, family, and the wider community in an era of rapid technological change cannot be understated. We recently supported an independent study by professors from Western Sydney University and Oxford University, which found that individuals with a ‘local’ are more trusting and satisfied with life, and have broader support networks within their communities.
Solar Installation at XXXX
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