RENSSELAERVILLE — The Sustainable Communities Program at the Carey Institute for Global Good will begin work with the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) to develop a Supplier Code of Conduct for use by New York State brewers.

The goal of the project is to enable environmentally sustainable practices and purchasing decisions within the upstream brewing supply chain.

There is growing interest in sustainability within the craft brewing industry, especially in New York State. A recent survey conducted by the Carey Institute indicated that small, rural breweries in the state consider environmental sustainability to be key to their future success.

The environmental impacts of craft beer occur largely “upstream,” in the production and transportation of raw materials and packaging, prior to the brewing stage. The project will give brewers an opportunity to learn about the impact of their upstream supply chain.

The project will result in a report summarizing upstream impacts, tools, and best practices for making sustainable purchasing decisions and a supplier code of conduct that brewers can use with their suppliers to document and validate sustainable practices.
Funding for the project is provided by NYSP2I through a grant from the Environmental Protection Fund as administered by the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation. The partnership with the Sustainable Communities Program at the Carey Institute will enhance the project by incorporating industry knowledge and the engagement of a network of brewers and suppliers to create a user-centered code of conduct.