The Green Pub Guide, powered by Heineken SmartDispense, is back for 2023, helping drinkers to be kind to the planet while they’re sinking their pint – with pubs in the North well represented.
A new poll of 2,000 adults, commissioned by Heineken’s green pub cellar technology SmartDispense, has revealed that almost a fifth (18%) of pub-goers now check a pub’s green credentials before deciding whether to enjoy a pint or bite to eat there, taking into account food waste levels, recycling rates, and more.
But despite making a concerted effort to better understand sustainability, 30% confess to ‘often’ feeling ‘overwhelmed’ and ‘confused’ by conflicting advice over what is sustainable and what is not.
Almost half (49%) would be more inclined to buy goods or services from a sustainable business over one which isn’t, with 38% of people willing to pay extra for more sustainable options. Yet 53% admitted to being unaware of how much of an environmental impact visiting a pub, bar or restaurant would have and don’t know how to improve it.
The Green Pub Guide is here to help more people to identify and discover sustainable venues to visit in their local area and further afield.
Chelsey Wroe, Head of Sustainability at HEINEKEN UK, commented: “Brits are passionate about sustainability – and this extends to pubs, bars, and restaurants. There are many ways pubs can be more environmentally conscious – through the products they sell, how they operate and being more energy efficient. Ordering a pint at the bar is something millions of us do, but do we ever think about how that beer gets into the glass?”
Heineken SmartDispense reduces or removes the need for cellar cooling by chilling the beer as it leaves the keg, rather than chilling the surrounding environment. Wroe added: “It’s the technology behind the scenes that can have a huge impact on the environmental credentials of a pub, and that’s where technologies like SmartDispense may help. On average, it saves a pub over 6,500 pints of water a year, alongside a big saving on CO2 and electricity.”
Avoiding single-use plastics, keeping social events local and walking to a venue were other top ways respondents would be open to being more sustainable.
A plethora of environmentally friendly Northern venues feature in the guide should you wish to do your bit for the planet while you drink, including Manchester’s Rose & Monkey Hotel, Huddersfield’s Harvey’s Bar and Kitchen, Scarborough’s The Albert and Southport’s The Windmill. Check out the full list before your next session at greenpubguide.co.uk.
