How to Green Your Beer

Beer, a liquid forged in heat and often transported great distances, leaves a hefty environmental footprint. Here are a few ways you can lighten that load:

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1. Recycle Bottlecaps

Don’t just toss them in the bin; the sorting machines will miss these little steel bits. Instead, save them in a steel (soup or vegetable) can, and crimp it closed when it’s about halfway full. That’s fully recyclable.


 

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2. Zip off that label

Many breweries use plastic shrink-wrap labels on their cans, but plastic doesn’t mix well with recycled aluminum. A new zip-off label allows easy removal of that plastic from the aluminum stream. The Fermentorium is one local brewery that uses them on some of its cans.

3. Save your PakTechs

Those rigid plastic six- or four-pack can holders are recyclable but also highly reusable, and some breweries offer incentives like a free tap beer to customers who bring multiples back (if you needed a reason). The Fermentorium and Gathering Place accept four-packs regardless of color; call ahead for other breweries. 


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Executive editor, Milwaukee Magazine. Aficionado of news, sports and beer. Dog and cat guy. (Yes, both.)