The issue of single-use glass bottles in the spirits industry is a pressing environmental concern. These bottles, essential to the presentation and preservation of our spirits, bring with them a significant environmental footprint due to their production, distribution, and disposal processes.
At Highwood Distillers, in partnership with ecoSPIRITS, we have committed ourselves to addressing this challenge head-on. Our goal? To significantly reduce the waste and carbon emissions that stem from traditional spirits packaging methods.
That’s why we’re proud to announce that we, along with our partners at ecoSPIRITS, were honoured with the prestigious Award of Excellence in Sustainability for the ecoTOTE at the 2024 Canadian Whisky Awards.
This recognition highlights our commitment to sustainable business practices across the board, from optimizing raw material use to enhancing energy efficiency, rethinking packaging, and streamlining distribution processes.
A Deep Commitment to Sustainability Across Canada
At Highwood, sustainability is not just a concept; it’s a practice. We are deeply committed to preserving the land that nurtures us. Our partnership with ecoSPIRITS is a testament to this commitment, revolutionizing our packaging and distribution processes to significantly minimize waste and reduce our carbon footprint.
David Walker, Co-Owner of Highwood Distilling, stated, “Sustainability has always been crucial for us as a company. It is an immense honor to lead the way in Canada by integrating ecoSPIRITS’ innovative circular distribution model into our operations. We are eager to collaborate with ecoSPIRITS, the industry, and the Canadian community to advance the transition away from single-use glass in spirits.”
The ecoTOTE is central to a closed-loop system designed to significantly reduce packaging waste and carbon emissions in the spirits supply chain. Capable of up to 150 reuses, the ecoTOTE can replace 1,000 single-use glass bottles throughout its lifecycle.
Innovating for a Greener Tomorrow
At the heart of our sustainability efforts is the establishment of Canada’s first ecoPLANT, which plays a pivotal role in this eco-conscious initiative. The ecoPLANT processes and refills ecoTOTE containers, receiving spirits in bulk, filling them into ecoTOTE, and ensuring their return for sterilization and refilling.
Currently serving Alberta, we intend to expand our ecoPLANT facilities to include British Columbia in 2024, with plans to go nationwide.
Forging the Path to a Greener Future
Our journey towards sustainability, marked by our partnership with ecoSPIRITS and the innovative ecoTOTE system, represents a significant leap towards a more sustainable spirits industry. This initiative is a testament to our unwavering commitment to not only maintaining the highest quality standards but also ensuring our operations respect and protect the environment.
“From the start, we have placed a big focus on ingredients, regionality, and craftsmanship. This partnership with ecoSPIRITS further extends our commitment to sustainability and the environment,” said Jarrett Stuart, Caldera CEO, “We are excited to be able to take this next step in our sustainability journey while simultaneously bringing circular technology for the distribution of spirits to Canada,”
As we move forward, we are invigorated by the challenge to continue innovating and leading the industry toward a more sustainable future. We believe that with every step we take in partnership with ecoSPIRITS, we are not just offering our customers high-quality spirits, but also contributing to a more sustainable world.
We invite you to join us in this vital mission. By choosing Highwood Distillers, you are supporting a movement towards greater environmental responsibility in the spirits industry. Together, we can make a difference, ensuring that our enjoyment of fine spirits leaves a positive legacy for generations to come. For more information on Highwood’s sustainability initiatives, please visit our sustainability page.