New Belgium's Four Dimensions Of Sustainability

Madison Hector
830037811

While taking my first brewery tour to New Belgium recently, I was amazed at how well the company supports and promotes sustainability. Within various aspects of the tour I saw and heard of a variety of ways within that supports the four dimensions of sustainability; economic, ecological, social, and institutional. New Belgium began as a small brewing company started in the basement of founders Jeff Lebesch and Kim Jordan and has since then expanded into the amazing business it is today while never faltering from the values they believe in. Through sustainability, utilizing innovative technologies, and following the four dimensions of sustainability, New Belgium has helped follow George Wallace’s principles to minimize

For example, New Belgium has the second largest solar panel in North America. Through the solar panels, the brewery is able to provide 12% of energy for onsite use. Through their Internal Energy Tax, New Belgium charges themselves for the amount of energy they use then that money is used to help fund future energy efficient projects. With the rising popularity of New Belgium, cause a rising demand in beer, and in turn increased production and water use. The brewery has created their own on site water treatment plant. The plant is able to generate methane as a byproduct and then used as fuel for engines on site as well. Today, only using 18 gallons of water New Belgium is able to make over 400 cans and over 700 bottles of beer(ERIN). These examples are just a few of the ways that environmental sustainability is used in the facility. With their motivation to have a positive impact on the environment, they are also promoting impacts on an economic, social, and cultural

This principle would have the closest relationship with New Belgium’s kindling social, environmental and cultural change on a business role model. The facility has created a successful business model from the very beginning, taking into account the social, environmental, and cultural impacts of a growing business. With the understanding of these impacts, the business is able to grow and understand sustainability in more depth. With New Belgium’s involvement in non-profits and organized events such as the Tour De Fat, they are incorporating local people as well as helping with good causes. The brewery also incorporates their employees in a decision making process through a website they call the, “mothernet.” The mothernet is used to facilitate new and improved ideas of sustainability and gives the chance for many people to be involved and share their thoughts and comments.(ERIN) Overall these principles aid in a positive change on a business and sustainability