UMD EFC’s Mid-Atlantic Sustainable Breweries Program offers free sustainability consultations to help craft brewers assess operations and implement practices related to energy, water, wastewater, air emissions, and cleaning and sanitizing – all while saving costs and improving brand recognition. This work is funded by a US EPA Pollution Prevention grant. We offer:
- Technical assistance to identify opportunities for cost-saving improvements in the areas of energy, water, wastewater, cleaning & sanitizing, and more
- Benchmarking to track utility usage and compare efficiency with other brewers
- Research on costs, incentives such as rebates and grants, and payback periods for sustainability practices or equipment
- Recognition as aBetterBev Green Craft Brewer, if minimum performance measures are met in ten categories of facility activities and efficiency opportunities
Get recognized as a BetterBev Green Craft Brewer
Our program partners with BetterBev, a free environmental sustainability recognition program that helps craft beverage producers review their facility operations, identify process improvements, and reduce business costs.
BetterBev meets brewers where they are, from beginners looking for simple tips to experts that want to investigate the latest green technologies. No matter where you are, the BetterBev program will help you take positive steps that meet your financial, operational, and strategic priorities.
Continuous Improvement
Participating companies drive their continuous improvement by measuring and assessing waste generation, energy use, water consumption, and material inputs, such as raw materials, packaging, and cleaning products.
Ten Sustainability Criteria
The BetterBev program uses the following criteria to review facility operations and generate technical recommendations.
- Environmentally responsible sourcing
- Water usage
- Wastewater reduction
- Stormwater management
- Energy efficiency and conservation
- CO2 use and emissions
- Cleaning and sanitizing
- Waste reduction
- Packaging format and materials
- Environmental culture
Safer Cleaning
BetterBev works with the Toxics Use Reduction Institute's Cleaning Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts Lowell to identify high-performing, cost-effective cleaning practices that reduce health and safety risks. Ask us for more information.
Get started!
Contact us to request assistance or learn more.
Partners and Resources
- BetterBev: Green Craft Recognition Program
- New England Environmental Finance Center
- Connecticut Sustainable Breweries
- UMass Green Breweries
- NH Sustainable Craft Beverages
- Rhode Island Green Breweries
- Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI)
- Delaware Brewers Guild
- Brewers Association
Sponsors
Partners
Team Members