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Is this the most environmentally-friendly rum?

24 February 2022 By Jessica Mason

Independent Dutch distiller Spirited Union has implemented a raft of packaging changes to make its rum more environmentally-friendly.

The Amsterdam-based rum company, which celebrates its fifth birthday year, has switched to a more environmentally-friendly bottle which not only uses 40% recycled glass, but also reduces its bottle weight by 31%.

Speaking to the drinks business, Spirited Union founder Ruben Maduro said: “We’re only a small, young distillery, but all great things start like this – and these initiatives will resonate across our entire network of like-minded suppliers and partners. Everyone involved with Spirited Union buys into our approach and we’re constantly looking at ways to improve our environmental footprint.”

Maduro highlighted that adapting the bottle weight “saves 2.8kg of CO2 emissions per bottle at the point of manufacture – lowering Spirited Union’s overall carbon footprint by 370 tonnes in 2022,” and pointed out that “due to the significant drop in bottle weight, substantial further CO2 savings will be made throughout the company’s entire supply chain – most noticeably in transport”.

The firm’s second key Green move was its entry into the not-for-profit Bonsucro Programme. Known as the ‘Better Sugar Cane Initiative’, Bonsucro promotes sustainable production and an equitable deal for its farmers. It also provides a variety of educational events and training sessions for sugar cane-related businesses, whether a farmer, processor or any other third party in the industry.

Maduro added: “What’s great is that our actual carbon reduction isn’t just restricted to production. Lighter bottles will subsequently result in further significant CO2 reductions being made across the entire supply chain – from the distillery to bars and homes across the globe.”

Spirited Union has also boosted its use of renewable energy, eliminated plastic from its packaging (all bottle seals are bio-degradable) and any unnecessary single plastic in its HQ. Finally, by working with new recycling partners, 92% of the firm’s waste is now recycled.

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