Over 80 HK and SG bars join Pernod Ricard's 'Bar World of Tomorrow' initiative

Wine and spirits company Pernod Ricard is working on a programme to help reduce waste and carbon emissions across Hong Kong and Singapore bar scene, rolling out a closed-loop distribution system in two places renowned for their density of bars and restaurants. The company is partnering with ecoSPIRITS to pilot a closed-loop distribution system with brands such as Absolut Vodka, Beefeater London Dry Gin, and Havana Club Rum. These brands will be aiming to  reduce waste and carbon emissions resulting from the production, transportation of glass bottles and secondary packaging.

The new collaboration will see Pernod Ricard’s spirits transported in bulk and delivered to bars in a fully reusable 4.5-litre glass container instead of 75cl glass bottles. Once empty, the containers will be returned, sanitised and refilled. The company said there are more than 80 bars across Hong Kong and Singapore joining the pilot programme. The initiative will reduce carbon emissions by an estimated average of 66% across two cities compared to the traditional packaging and distribution model.

"Our partnership with ecoSPIRITS as part of our Bar World of Tomorrow initiative reflects our ambition to create more sustainable and responsible moments of conviviality. EcoSPIRITS is a wonderful partner to help our industry minimise waste and its carbon footprint, while also protecting our natural resources," said Hermance De La Bastide, vice president of corporate affairs and sustainability and responsibility at Pernod Ricard Asia.

According to Pernod Ricard, less than 15% of glass in Hong Kong and 11% of the glass in Singapore is actually being recycled, while the rest is sent to landfills.

This partnership comes under the Bar World of Tomorrow initiative launched by Pernod Ricard, Trash Collective and the Sustainable Restaurant Association in 2020. It was aimed at creating a more sustainable and responsible bar world. In Hong Kong, the Bar World of Tomorrow initiative is partnering with Food Made Good Hong Kong to conduct a series of workshops dedicated to helping bartenders operate their businesses sustainably. A similar initiative will be launched in Singapore in the coming months.

"The transition to circular is one of the most important movements in the spirits industry today. ‘Circular Making’ offers the prospects of dramatically reducing our industry’s waste and environmental footprint. There is simply no more effective way to do our collective part in supporting the United Nations Development goals and the global drive to Net Zero,” said Paul Gabie, CEO of ecoSPIRITS CEO.

Pernod Ricard said it hoped to bring more bars and restaurants to the ecoSPIRITS’ circular solution over the coming months with this pilot programme. It is also planning to expand the programme to other key markets and brands across Asia and beyond.

(Photo courtesy: ecoSPIRITS)

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