Individual environmental behavior
It’s really what everybody should be doing, if they are doing it right
Breweries are in and of themselves fairly sustainable just by their operations, “Myers said. makes sense to us” He explained Full steam’s practice of giving spent grain back to farmers to use as cattle feed. Individual environmental behavior. In this way, the brewery’s waste material goes back into the local economy, and, as an added bonus, they don’t have to pay to get rid of it.
Meet the honeybees. Robert Gifford introduces three types of environmental behavior in his article, “Dragons, mules and honey bees: harries, carriers, and unwitting enablers of climate change action”. The folks at Full steam are the honeybees, honorably working to increase sustainability to grow their “hive” (or in this case, their business and the local community its supports), but without necessarily claiming to be environmentalists.
“We’ve improved ourselves on sustainability, but we don’t lead that as an anchor point in our discussion because I don’t want to get tripped up on that,” Wilson said-He said he would rather speak to what he know-which is supporting the Southern Beer Economy through sourcing locally and returning grain back to the farmers Yet, Full steam runs on sustainable practices.
They recycle as much water as possible in the fairly water-intensive process of brewing, switched to LED lights, improved insulation to cut heating and cooling expenditures, and host both recycling and composting programs. All ingredients, for both beer and the food program, are sourced from Southern Farms, most of which are in North Carolina.
“The actions that we do that are above and beyond sustainably are really the things we should be doing as a brewery anyway,” Myers said “And I think that’s one of the reasons that Sean says it’s hard for us to stand out as doing something extra: because it’s really what [breweries] should be doing” Take, for instance, Full steam’s choice to package their beer in aluminum cans. Individual environmental behavior. Aluminum is lighter and cheaper to transport than glass, which, as it chips and breaks, also tends to waste more product. Financially, aluminum is a better choice.
Yet, it is also 100% recyclable and its lighter weight reduces the carbon footprint of shipping.
Although these actions are in line with the honey bee stain of environmental behavior, Full steam collects all aluminum waste on-site and returns it directly to a recycler. This is a behavior that doesn’t necessarily increase their bottom line. And it isn’t an excuse for limited behavior, either. Wilson, in fact, said he is in awe of larger breweries that have the capital to invest more in sustainable management. He said it is one of the challenges of being a small brewery, but, he said, “we do what we can”.
How does Full steam encourage pro-environmental behavior in the community? Well, that one is easy: “The most sustainable packaging is a keg on draft on-site,” Wilson said-That’s why we’re big fans of visiting your local brewery, wherever you may be Social Capital Full steam Brewery utilizes social capital to ensure their goals of developing a Southern Beer Economy come to life. Social capital is defined as the social bonds of trust. reciprocity, and exchange between individuals and groups.
Full steam strives to create an inclusive environment where people of all backgrounds, races, sexual orientation, and ability feel welcome, a place where people can built social capital. Through social bonds of trust with local farmers and reciprocity and exchange with other breweries in the area, Full steam has been able to foster a community of breweries with similar aspirations.
Despite the increase in the number of breweries driving further capital intensive competition, being part of this community and providing a place for community gatherings has been a mutual goal that Full steam and the other breweries can strive toward together. Wilson emphasize the importance of creating an intentional and progressive community center.
When North Carolina reached the settlement on the Bathroom Bill, Full steam ensured that its brewery was inclusive and welcoming to people of all sexual orientations and identities, especially individuals who identify as LGBTQ and BIPOC. Full steam has also been intentional about amplifying Black Voices and Supporting the Black Lives Matter Movement. The leadership of Full steam wishes it to be a setting that truly expresses the diversity of the community.
Full steam’s mission is only possible due to the powerful relationships that have been fostered with local malt houses and farms. The malthouses are run by friends and timely cultivated relationships have been formed with farmers who live within the “local radius”. Wilson has that commerce has acted as a great equalizer, creating opportunities to foster trust between and brewers with set expectations. Since Full steam is known for their commitment to the market, a commitment that is more of a passion project than a fiscal incentive, farmers truth v with them.
“If someone is just down a bag of gain or needs some suppliers and our resources are a this industry is really good at just helping somebody out”.
Although Full steam does not have the size and capacity to invest directly in environmental considerations, this aspect of sustainability is baked into many of the business’s daily operations. As stated, they focus heavily on reducing and recycling any brewery waste, upgrading their facility’s energy efficiency, and reusing excess water through cooling and cleaning process.
Individual environmental behavior Wilson’s suggestion to drink beer on draft at your local bar or brewery also lessens the impact of emissions related to packaging and transportation of beer products.
Full steam’s website reminds readers that “at the end of the day, it’s all about beer” and they “aim to keep it fun” (“Mission”.). They deserve credit, however, for providing this fun in a manner that supports the local economy, empowers Durham’s social community, and thoughtfully addresses the world environment.