Chico locals, who are die-hard Sierra Nevada fans by nature, aren’t as surprised. The brewery’s simple and effective goal remains true today. “Brew the beer we want to drink.” This mantra endures, supported by consistency in quality and taste, constant innovation, creativity and a massive, revolutionary effort towards sustainability.
PLATINUM GREEN
As a self-proclaimed outdoorsman, hiker and cyclist, Ken explains, “I have always appreciated the natural environment and want to protect it.” It’s no wonder that from birth, Sierra Nevada has been a company swaddled in sustainability. “From turning scrap metal into pieces of equipment to using returnable beer bottles and recycling onsite, we have been frugal with our materials from early on.” For the future of business in relation to the environment, not only was developing an environmentally conscious company good for the planet, but it was also a very progressive and fiscally smart move on Ken’s part. “There were financial drivers along with a keen notion to conserve resources,” explains Ken, so the green state of mind was adopted. What began with recycling bottles and upcycling materials for production has matured into an impressive all-encompassing sustainability program that is now a cornerstone of Sierra Nevada’s mission and operation. The incredible focus and energy put towards being sus-
PLANET STATS: According to the EPA • 5,000 people die daily due to dirty drinking water. • 14 billion pounds of garbage are dumped into the ocean every year. Most of it is plastic. • Over 1 million seabirds and 100,000 sea mammals are killed by pollution each year. • Approximately 46% of the lakes in America are too polluted for fishing, aquatic life or swimming. • Americans make up about 5% of the world’s population, but use 25% of its resources. • 20% of electricity used in California is used to move and treat water. • The Average American throws away 4.6 pounds of trash each day. • If we composted the 21.5 million tons of food waste we produce annually, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions would be equivalent to taking more than 2 million cars off the road. • Recycling and composting prevented 85 million tons of material from being disposed of in 2010, up from 18 million tons in 1980.
tainable reaches every person involved in Sierra Nevada and is inspiring companies worldwide to join the race to a sustainable future. We had the pleasure of speaking with Cheri Chastain, Sierra Nevada’s Sustainability Coordinator who in the 7 ½ years she’s been with the company has grown the sustainability program into the internationally recognized beast that it is today. Cheri’s passion, like everyone we encountered in our interviews at Sierra Nevada, is apparent and genuine as she explains her experience with the brewery. “I get to do what I believe in, and it barely feels
like a job. I practice and believe in all I talk about. To be able to take a lifestyle choice and bring it into business and educate all the employees around me is spectacular.” From sales reps to the marketing department, dishwashers, busers, and brewers, the commitment to sustainability touches every facet, every department, every person at Sierra Nevada. The Sierra Nevada sustainability department, now a team of three, holds educational series to continually inform employees about sustainable practices and the reasons behind those practices. Having the whole company on board creates a stronger team and also spreads consciousness and information to each employee’s home, creating a greener community both in and out of the brewery.
“I get to do what I believe, and it barely feels like a job. I practice and believe in all I talk about.” The HotRot
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