Shakespeare Distillery is certified as carbon neutral

Stratford-upon-Avon-based artisan spirit producer Shakespeare Distillery has been certified as carbon neutral after a full-scale carbon footprint assessment and off-setting programme.

Over the summer months, with the support of the Warwick University Internship programme, the company employed a Carbon Footprint Data Analyst.

With the help of Climate Partner UK, the Analyst calculated their entire CO2 emissions from spirit production to delivery and looked at ways to reduce the distillery’s carbon footprint.

The company had already invested in energy efficient Stills and is using a fully carbon neutral waste management company as well as offering a bottle re-fill scheme.

They also have their own small garden where they grow Rosemary for gin distillation and are planting more botanicals, so they don’t need to transport them in from elsewhere.

The Distillery is primarily run-on renewable energy with solar panels on the roof. Following the completion of the analysis, further steps have been taken including investment in a new fully electric delivery van.

Peter Monks, Director at Shakespeare Distillery said: “We are one of a few Carbon Neutral Distilleries in the UK but we hope this is the start of a growing number of craft producers who follow this ethos.

"There is still a great deal we can do but we have now started our sustainable journey and already we’re making an impact. The importance of considering sustainability in every business decision around procurement and our operation is hugely significant to us”.

Back in September, Shakespeare Distillery was invited by the National Trust to be part of The Green Cabinet Panel at The Fleece Inn at Bretforton in Worcestershire during Big Green Week.

Sam Evans, Brand Ambassador from Shakespeare Distillery talked about the changes the company has made to create local, low carbon drinks.