‘PEOPLE, PUBS AND PLANET’: SHEPHERD NEAME LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN HERALDING A TRIO OF GREEN GOALS

Posted: 20th November 2023

Independent family brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame has launched its new ‘People, Pubs and Planet’ campaign heralding a trio of ambitious environmental goals.

The Faversham-based firm has pledged the following:

  • Net zero carbon for direct emissions by 2030
  • Net zero for Scope 3 emissions no later than 2040
  • Zero waste to landfill by 2025

Shepherd Neame has already begun investing in a number of initiatives as it begins working towards these goals, including the following:

ENERGY
It has used 100% electricity from renewable sources across its brewery and managed pub estate since October 2020, and already uses 100% of green CO2 in its production process. 

To help identify opportunities to reduce energy usage, the following measures have been undertaken: 

  • Smart electric automatic meter readers (AMRs) have been installed across the brewery and managed pub estate, and gas AMRs are being rolled out
  • Shepherd Neame is participating in the Government’s Energy Saving Opportunities Scheme at the brewery and in a sample of its pubs, to identify opportunities for improvements
  • The company is among the founding members of the Zero Carbon Forum (ZCF), and following a successful trial of its Save While You Sleep initiative, aimed at identifying opportunities for energy saving, at The Wharf in Dartford, it is also now being rolled out across 19 retail sites and should deliver significant savings

It is also investing in technology to provide energy and emissions reductions around the business, including:

  • Programme of electrical supply upgrades
  • Fully electric kitchens at newly refurbished sites including The Duke of Cumberland in Whitstable, Tom Cribb in London and The Royal Crown in Rochester
  • Enhanced roof insulation
  • Water saving taps and waterless urinals
  • Swapping baths for showers
  • Cold cellar upgrades
  • LED lighting throughout with daylight sensors
  • Introducing smart heating controls and energy efficient room fans in accommodation instead of air conditioning

Shepherd Neame is continuing to increase the number of hybrid or electric cars in its fleet, and has installed electric car rapid charging facilities at the brewery and six of its pubs, with more being rolled out. 

It is also working with suppliers to find collaborative solutions to reduce carbon footprint by reducing delivery days, and keeping packaging as lightweight and minimal as possible to reduce weight and volume during transit.

WASTE
The brewery already uses 99% recyclable packaging materials, 55% of the water used in the brewing process is recycled, and 97% of spent grain and hops is recycled by local farms.  
It has just begun a new carbon offset scheme with waste contractors 1st Waste Management to create a zero balance (carbon neutrality) for its waste collection across the business. A new baling machine has been introduced in the bottling hall, allowing cardboard and plastic to be separated, and new recycling bins are now available throughout the brewery and in pub and hotel accommodation. 

A number of other steps have also been taken across Shepherd Neame’s pub and hotel estate to minimise waste, including:

  • Ensuring all toiletries come in biodegradable packaging, only stocking paper straws
  • Launching an initiative to recycle old crockery where new crockery is introduced
  • Minimising food waste through improved menu and portion design, along with new bins and processes for more efficient separation
  • Recycling more than 60% of the total cooking oil used across our managed estate and converting it to green energy

These initiatives have helped contribute to the business sending just 2% of waste to landfill.

To showcase these energy and waste initiatives, Shepherd Neame is currently working towards Green Mark sustainability certification for its brewery, visitor centre and support offices. As part of this, it has teamed up with Carbon Architecture training on a bespoke training programme for team members, aimed at ensuring they are aware of the company’s environmental commitments and are motivated and supported to deliver them.

Chief Executive Jonathan Neame said: “A commitment to doing the right thing for our community, our people and our environment is at the heart of our strategy. We are proud to launch this new People, Pubs and Planet campaign, to celebrate our achievements so far, and provide focus as we move forward. Our extensive investment in new energy-saving initiatives and technology across our pubs and brewery is already demonstrating positive results, and we have also been pleased to receive incredible support and enthusiasm from team members and licensees. We look forward to continuing on this important journey together.”

Find out more at www.shepherdneame.co.uk/peoplepubsplanet