Ecological sustainability in the brewing industry

The large corporations of the world, governments and NGOs have identified ESD (Ecologically Sustainable Development) as being the mode of operation which will be required in the future for businesses to obtain an operating franchise from the community. For the brewing industry which has existed for hundreds of years and reproduces what people would otherwise carry out in their kitchens and garages, the concept of ESD poses some interesting questions. This paper looks at the overall concept of ESD, and explores ESD aspects of a range of brewing practices ann brewing operations.