Today is Earth Day and this year’s theme is Restore Our Earth. “At the heart of Earth Day’s 2021 theme, Restore Our Earth, is optimism, a critically needed sentiment in a world ravaged by both climate change and the pandemic,” said Kathleen Rogers, president of EarthDay.org, in a press release.
This theme comes at a time when COVID-19 has claimed the lives of over three million people around the world and the effects of climate changes have manifested in the form of raging wildfires, hurricanes and floods.
According to EarthDay.org, this year’s theme will focus on restoring the world’s ecosystems through natural processes and supporting local communities affected by environmental issues. Each year many organizations and companies participate in Earth Day to raise awareness about environmental issues and start discussions about ways to conquer those worrisome changes.
Since April 20, EarthDay.org has had three days of climate action events streaming on its website. Since the food and beverage industry plays a big role in the health of the planet — with sustainable agricultural practices, food waste and recyclable packaging all being important topics — it’s no surprise that food companies have established new initiatives for Earth Day 2021.
Here’s a look at three beverage companies participating in this year’s Earth Day.
1) Silk
For Earth Day, Silk, a plant-based beverage brand, is introducing a new initiative to help climate worriers become climate warriors. Silk designed this new program to help people overcome their eco-anxiety and put fears into action.
The Silk Climate Warriors initiative will include eco-counseling with environmental experts who will help turn thoughts into possible actions.
As leaders of sustainability, their mission is to help, protect and restore nature. They do this by focusing on water conservation, greenhouse gas reduction and pollination protection efforts.
“Silk believes climate change is affecting our planet and our food system,” said Derek Neeley, Silk vice president, in a press release. “As part of one of the world’s largest B Corps we are committed to building sustainable food systems that work in harmony with nature to restore the land. This Earth Day, we are bringing meaningful solutions to our consumers struggling to overcome stress when looking at the overwhelming task at hand, so that they can join us on this journey.”
Silk understands the struggles and stresses caused by climate change. Through free eco-counseling and other initiatives that focus on making a positive environmental impact, this beverage company will relieve some of those climate anxiety struggles.
“As uncomfortable as eco-anxiety may be, it is actually a legitimate and rational reaction to the accelerating climate crisis,” said Dr. Debbie Sturm, licensed professional counselor and climate anxiety researcher, who will be giving eco-counseling to attendees, in the same statement. “In many ways, eco-anxiety can be a by-product of the empathy we feel for the planet, our beloved places, and the people vulnerable to the negative impact. Empathy compels us to connect. Anxiety propels us to act.”
2) F. Gaviña & Sons, Inc
Gaviña & Sons, Inc is a coffee roasting company founded in 1870 in Southern Cuba, which was later moved to Los Angeles in 1963. The coffee company carries a passion and tradition for producing gourmet coffee that is committed to creating a greener coffee footprint on the planet.
In 2020, the brand announced that they were diverting over 150,00 single-use coffee pods and capsules from landfills into a free recycling program.
“Our commitment to sustainability is at the core of our family and company values, and continuing to innovate while minimizing our environmental impact is at the center of everything we do,” said Lisette Gaviña Lopez, executive marketing director at F. Gaviña & Sons, Inc., in a press release.
Once the package is collected, it’s cleaned and separated by material type, melted and remolded to make an upcycled product. The residue from the coffee is sent to a compost facility.
For Earth Day, the company is expanding its recycling program with TerraCycle, an international recycling company to include coffee bags.
“At F. Gaviña & Sons, Inc., we embrace our responsibility for environmental stewardship so that we can continue to provide high-quality products to consumers today and tomorrow,” Lopez, in a different press release. “Our company’s Direct Impact Initiative is built on the belief that promoting sustainability practices in our business decisions has a direct impact on the lives our coffee touches. But our business and community initiatives aren’t enough on their own; the consumer is a critical part of this process, and our partnership with TerraCycle empowers them to participate in these efforts.”
A recent study from Research and Markets shows that 64 percent of Americans consume coffee daily, making about 400 million cups of coffee every day. Single-serve coffee pods provide consumers with quick and convenient brewing methods to make coffee. Additionally, the coffee capsule segment is a growing market with a value of $8.3 million in 2019 predicted to rise to $14 million by 2027.
This means a lot of waste is produced by the multi-material pods and the lack of enforcement of recycling practices in this market. This has prompted companies like Nespresso to also implement the same kinds of sustainability efforts.
Related: Nespresso Developing Sustainable Projects to Better Coffee Plantation Communities
3) Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold
Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold, an organic lager, is the first available USDA-certified brand that is now brewed with 100 percent renewable energy using solar panels.
This beer is the first Anheuser-Busch beverage to make the change to fully sustainable manufacturing practices.
“As the best-selling USDA certified organic beer in the country, Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold has always celebrated nature and now we’re going further by brewing our beer sustainably with 100 percent solar electricity,” said Ricardo Marques, VP of Michelob ULTRA, in a press release. “This Earth Day we look forward to celebrating our commitment together with our long-standing partner, Maluma, who shares in our passion for nature and sustainability.”
Maluma is a world-known superstar that is an environmental advocate. He is joining the company this Earth Day to celebrate a new song title “Rumba,” which will “feature the roaring sounds of the sun.”
According to the statement, the sun makes a unique sound that can be captured and will be used in this song. Maluma’s Rumba will debut on Spotify and be available on major streaming platforms.
Anheuser-Busch have put in place sustainability goals which they aim to accomplish by 2025. These address water stewardship, renewable energy, carbon reduction, smart agriculture and circular packaging.
One of their main goals is to use 100 percent renewable energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 25 percent in the next four years. With this in mind, their Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold is definitely a move in the right direction.
Earth Day first began in 1970 and since then, more than 190 countries engage in this day and more than one billion people have mobilized for action every Earth Day.
This day came into being when Americans were using a large amount of leaded gas to power cars. These vehicles would, and continue to, produce emissions that lead to air pollution, threatening both the environment and human health.
In 1990, Earth Day went global and environmental leaders organized a major campaign for the planet.
Today, April 22 is widely recognized by billions of people worldwide as Earth Day. It’s a day to shed light on some of the changes that humans and companies, like food and beverage manufacturers, can make to keep the planet from deteriorating
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