Hope Beer, a Dublin-based microbrewery, has become a verified member of the Origin Green Sustainability Programme of Bord Bia (the Irish Food Board) for the fourth year in a row.
To earn the certification, the brewery undergoes a rigorous annual audit, in which it sets out sustainability goals for cutting the amount of energy and water used as well as the waste produced.
The Irish food industry’s Origin Green Sustainability Programme covers farmers, food producers, retailers and food service operators. Hope Beer founder Wim de Jongh said the brewery started with an energy-efficient set-up when it was newly built in 2016. “Each year since then, as our Origin Green certification is audited, we continue to set short and long-term goals to reduce our carbon footprint and environmental impact and have a positive effect on the local community,” he said.
Thanks to increased production over the last 12 months, Hope Beer secured greater efficiencies in energy usage while continuing to ensure its packaging is made from recyclable material. “Not only does the membership focus heavily on reducing environmental impacts, it also judges you on your positive involvement in your local area,” de Jongh said, adding that Hope Beer is now involved in with many local clubs such as Shelbourne FC, Suttonians RFC, Naomh Barróg GAA club, Howth Yacht Club and Skerries Sailing Club.
“Since the beginning, we made a conscious decision to really think about sustainability and we continue to be committed to doing everything we can to reduce the inputs into our brewery, minimise our impact on the environment and serve our local community more effectively,” de Jongh added.