Heaven Hill unveils first official sustainability strategy

Heaven Hill has unveiled its first offical environmental sustainability strategy to guide its decision making and operations over the next decade. 

The family-owned, Kentucky-based company - which owns whiskey brands including Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Larceny and Rittenhouse Rye - has built the strategy around four key areas: water, emissions, waste, and conservation.

With the new plan, Heaven Hill aims to address pressing environmental challenges within the American whiskey industry and local communities, while also building further resilience into the 85-year-old business.

Its goals, to achieve by 2030, include improving water use efficiency by 15 per cent, reducing carbon emissions from its operations by 30 per cent, reducing the amount of virgin plastic in bottles by 50 per cent, and supporting a sustainable supply of white oak.

Rachel Nally, Heaven Hill Brands' manager of environment and sustainability, said: "Heaven Hill has always strived to be a good partner in our communities and to be a good steward of the natural resources used to create our products. Cultivating sustainable and thriving communities is important for our employees, our partners, and our neighbours. 

"We are incredibly passionate about this next era in our commitment to responsibly use natural resources, reduce energy use, safely dispose of waste, and conserve the ecosystems that support our business."

The implementation of the environmental sustainability strrategy will be supported by significant investments in production, new technology and training initiatives.

It follows previous projects at Heaven Hill in the interests of sustainability and environmental responsibility, including fitting light fixtures with LED bulbs, tree planting around Bernheim Distillery, and the completion of multiple boiler efficiency programmes. 

21 January 2021 - Bethany Whymark