Minister backs eco-beer

(CNS): With its well established environmental business practices, the Minister with responsibility for the Environment  paid a call on the Cayman Islands Brewery (CIB) recently where the country’s beer Caybrew is made. The Ministry has supported Caybrew with incentives through the Cayman Islands Investment Bureau but Charles Clifford said his ministry will now be examining how it can assist the company’s expansion plans. 

"Caybrew is Cayman’s national  beer and a great source of  pride, so we are very committed to its growth and development,” said Clifford. Demonstrating that a successful businesses can embrace environment principals Caybrew’s General Manager Allen Chu Fook said the company currently has major plans to diversify operations, boost distribution, and enhance energy efficiency as well as intentions to nurture local agriculture.

Clifford toured the company’s plant on 25 August where he learned about the company’s expansion as well as its efforts to integrate environmental protection measures into its operations. Chu Fook explained tot he Minister that a waste water treatment plant at the brewery converts used water into clean water suitable for farming purposes. He also told him that local farmers can also benefit from using beer manufacturing grain by-products as animal feed.

However, Chu Fook noted the major component of Caybrew’s environmental focus entails the bottle recycling programme.   “Consumers can return used beer bottles and receive CI$2 per case,” he said.

That’s not all Chu Fook said that in the near future, the company will be exploring the possibility of using renewable sources of energy in its effort to reduce operating cost and boost energy efficiency.

Clifford commended Caybrew for integrating environmental best practices in its daily operations and for adopting modern technologies and practices to boost efficiency.  

The tour included several areas including the filtration plant, the lab, the brew house, the packaging and bottling plant area, and the water treatment plant.