Brewing Giant Reduces its Water Consumption by 15 Billion Gallons

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Brewing Giant Reduces its Water Consumption by 15 Billion Gallons

MillerCoors used new tools and irrigation initiatives, along with increased brewing efficiencies, that helped the brewing giant reduce its water consumption by 15 billion gallons in 2016.

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Water Reduction Strategies

On MillerCoors’ Showcase Barley Farms in Idaho and Colorado, the company researches and develops water conservation techniques to grow barley more sustainably by using practices such as precision irrigation technologies, soil improvements, and companion cropping. Best practices from the showcase farms are shared through the company’s barley program, providing an opportunity for growers to obtain and share information on how to meet water reduction goals.

Partnering with growers on environmental stewardship through the company’s barley program reduces risks for both parties and allows MillerCoors to work directly with farmers to determine the techniques that are best suited for their specific land. In 2016, MillerCoors launched the Grower Portal, a digital platform for information gathering to further enhance water savings and eventually lead to data sharing among growers.

One of the company’s most successful water reduction practices is its employee-driven monitoring and processing systems, which include short interval controls and optimizing clean-in-place systems to reduce rinse cycles. Where possible, the company captures and reuses a portion of wastewater after brewing for processes such as equipment cooling and utilities operations that never come into contact with any of its products.

In 2015, MillerCoors commissioned a photovoltaic solar array with over 10,000 panels at their Irwindale brewery in California, the largest of any brewery in the country, according to the company. In addition to providing approximately 5.5 million kilowatt-hours of renewable and sustainable energy each year, MillerCoors has been able to reduce water usage. The solar array replaced irrigated landscape and reduces the water impacts of local power plant cooling, with the goal of reducing consumption by 695,100,000 gallons over a 30-year period.

These water reduction initiatives are helping MillerCoors get closer to reaching its 2020 goal to manage and reduce agricultural risks, including water risks, in 100% of key barley-growing regions. The company is also working alongside Molson Coors to develop new 2025 Global Goals, which will include water stewardship targets.

Read more: Environmental Leader

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