Lighthouse Brewing Company – Committed to a Healthy Environment
Since the inception of Lighthouse Brewery in 1998, one of our core values has always been to leave the smallest environmental footprint possible. One of our favorite quotes is “Canadians’ health and their social and economic well being are fundamentally linked to the quality of their environment”. With the brewery now celebrating its twelfth year in business, our efforts have earned two very prestigious Eco-Star Awards for source control and a seat on the CRD task force to develop a Best Practices Guide for all breweries and brew pubs in Greater Victoria. Lighthouse supports environmental protection through responsible production and community involvement.
Environmentally Friendly Production
The basis for environmental sustainability is a solid understanding of biophysical processes and resiliency of the ecosystems. Spent grains, the only solid waste result of the brewing process, are distributed daily to local organic farmers, who use it as a nutritionally dense feed supplement for dairy cattle, chickens and pigs. Lighthouse production employees separate and collect all liquid waste in a 10,000 litre holding tank. The liquid waste is then put through a process called aerobic digestion that takes place inside a bioreactor at Coast Environmental. This process uses microorganisms to eliminate the BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) of the biodegradable materials. The suspended solids are filtered and sent off to a compost facility that manufactures soil. The pH of the waste is neutralized and the final result is liquid that will not have a negative impact on the environment.
Power Efficient Equipment
The issue of environmental sustainability has emerged as a key issue confronting all businesses. Increasingly stringent pollution targets are driving innovation. Lighthouse Brewery has always been at the forefront of this movement and for 12 years have been operating is a zero-emissions manufacturing facility. In the past, the industry standard has been to use natural gas burners in the production process. Lighthouse uses the more efficient incoloy stainless steel electric immersion elements, which provide a more localized heat and require less energy and very importantly burns zero hydrocarbons.
Responsible Product Packaging
At Lighthouse, Race Rocks, Beacon IPA, Lighthouse Lager and Keepers Stout are currently distributed in aluminum cans. Made of 100% recyclable materials, requiring little extra packaging and requiring less fuel for delivery, aluminum cans are a responsible beverage packaging choice. According to the BC Liquor Distribution Branch, over 95% of cans are returned for recycling. Aluminum Info: aluminum can be recycled over and over again. The average can contain 70% recycled aluminum. Cans are the most recycled material in the world, over 54 billion cans were recycled in 2003 Source: Earth911.org. We also offer Fisgard 150, Riptide, Race Rocks and our seasonal offerings in the traditional glass bottles that are packaged in 100% recyclable packaging.
Waste Reduction Policies
Everyone in the company pitches in, the Lighthouse office is environmentally friendly with an extensive recycling program in place. At Lighthouse beer gardens, samples are offered in recyclable cups.
Environmental Support through Community Involvement
It is the communities in which we live that enrich and fulfill our lives. In keeping with its commitment to a healthy environment and community, Lighthouse supports local organizations with the same aspiration. Employees are encouraged to cycle or walk to work, and participate in outdoor recreational activities and fundraisers to enhance our valued communities.
Lighthouse Proudly Supports…
Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT)
Sierra Club BC
Vancouver Island Cycle Tourism Alliance
Farm Folk / City Folk
ICC – Island Chef Collaborative
South Island Mountain Bike Society
