Molson in the Community

Upon the release of recycling results and their environmental stewardship for The Beer Store in Ontario, I felt compelled to write a post and share the positive news with everyone. The Beer Store (of which Molson is a shareholder) has been doing a terrific job in environmental stewardship since partnering with the Government of Ontario to be the Ontario Deposit Return destination for all beverage alcohol containers.

Brewers have been doing their part for a long time. The industry standard bottle has 47 brewers participating in Canada which means significant re-use of this container and eventual recycling when the bottle wears out. These brewers represent more than 97% of the industry volume in Canada…quite an accomplishment.

The Beer Store role in Ontario’s Deposit Return for beverage alcohol is continuing to improve upon environmental stewardship in the province. To read the full report you can download it at the Beer Store’s environmental page on their web site.

I will also point you to more details on what Molson and Molson Coors Brewing Company are doing in the context of corporate responsibility by re-directing you to our Molson Coors Brewing Company environmental responsibility page.

What do you think our industry and Molson can be doing to continue to be more environmentally friendly ? Please let us know by commenting below…cheers !

As you probably know, the issue of energy conservation is making headlines throughout the world today. The call to action is for all of us realize that to preserve our planet’s resources for generations to come; we all have to take action. At Molson, we depend on the future of natural resources such as water, hops or barley to make our beer. So, it’s absolutely critical for us to reduce our energy consumption and ensure those resources last, for at least a few more centuries.

I’m pleased to share on this forum that this week we launched our Energy Conservation Program across all of Molson breweries in Canada. It is an internal campaign which focuses on getting everyone working in the breweries involved in making small changes that can lead to big results in conserving water, electricity and natural gas. The program includes targets for reducing the amount of energy or water used in making our beers. There is a comprehensive communication plan focusing on raising the awareness amongst brewery personnel about the importance of being informed and mindful of their water and energy use at work of course but also at home. Their actions – for example, when they turn off equipment that is not in use, signaling leaking water taps – or switching off lights that are unnecessary can make a big difference. The plan is designed to increase their awareness of this and to encourage a change of behaviors and culture towards reducing wasted energy and water, at the brewery or at home.

It’s a new approach but energy efficiency is not a new to Molson. Over the years, we’ve already taken important steps to reduce our environmental footprint. For example, we target environmental conservation at all steps of the brewing process. We’ve also set standards in water management, waste reduction and recycling. Our recycling initiatives with beer bottles, aluminium and corrugated cardboard dramatically reduce land fill.

Looking ahead, the goal is to continue to reduce energy usage in our brewing process. The focus of the campaign is on three key energy sources: gas, electricity and water.

As individuals, we all have the power to make a difference for the environment, whether it’s at work or at home. Small gestures have a real, positive impact. For example, you can turn off a dripping tap, power off idling machines, turn off lights and computers.

We’ll keep track of our progress and we’ll regularly communicate results and provide updates and conservation ideas and tips to employees. The ultimate intent is to make Molson one of the most environmentally conscious and energy efficient breweries in the world.

Why? Simply put, because it’s the right thing to do, and together we have the power to make a difference!

It was an absolutely perfect day to participate in the Mayor’s 20-minute Makeover.  We couldn’t have asked for better weather to be outside helping to clean up Toronto!

This morning, about 100 Molson employees in Toronto gathered together and picked up garbage and debris around the office and brewery on Carlingview Drive.  We kicked-off the morning clean-up by leading the employees (with a bag pipe band!) to a flag raising ceremony, where they were addressed by Molson’s President and CEO Kevin Boyce and City Councillor Suzan Hall. After the flag was raised, we needed to make sure everyone was physically ready for the challenge….so we had a couple of Molson’s finest instruct the group with some warm-up exercises and stretches — Thanks ladies!

The clean-up was a complete success.  We had a great time being outside in the sunshine, and we picked up bags and bags worth of garbage.  Even found a broken speed limit sign!

Thank you to Suzan Hall for joining us today and thank you to all who volunteered….Proud to play our part!  Cheers.

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On Friday April 18th, Molson employees at 1 and 33 Carlingview Drive will be participating in the 2008 challenge by Mayor David Miller to do a 20 minute clean up initiative. Molson employees have participated the past two years. In year one, we took people to Centennial Park to bag waste strewn throughout the site and last year we raised a flag on our flag pole at the brewery and cleaned up the curbsides of 33 Carlingview.  This year the Molson team, lead by our President and CEO Kevin Boyce, will be participating in the clean up initiative by cleaning up both sides of the 33 Carlingview Drive in front of our property at 33 Carlingview. More to come…

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The video posted above was created by Tenzing Interactive Marketing.  Thanks guys!

Earth Hour is just about here, and Molson is ready to go!  Nation-wide, our breweries and offices are shutting down their lights on Saturday from 8-9 p.m.

Here in Toronto, we’re planning some great things to get everyone involved and aware of how Molson is participating in Earth Hour.   On Friday, our cafeteria will be serving a Earth Hour Lunch! Only cold, raw food….and lights off (where safe, of course).  No power will be used to cook the lunch.

We have also created an Earth Hour ‘task force’ — a group of Molson volunteers will be going around the offices on Friday afternoon, making sure each office, desk, room, etc. is Earth Hour Certified.

What will you Earth Hour certify on Saturday?

Wait………make that 3 days, 2 hours, 39 minutes…..

It was really neat arriving home from March break and opening up an email from a neighbour inviting the family down the street for a neighbourhood celebration of Earth Hour next Saturday. My neighbour writes for the Toronto Star and I think it is great that employees at participating companies in Earth Hour are banding together to raise awareness on this important date. And as reported in The Toronto Star, Canada is leading the way.

Our family will be shutting down the power at our home and wandering down the street to join neighbours for a fondu dinner with an eventual trek over to the Leaside Bridge over the Don Valley to witness what we hope will be a visible change in the downtown Toronto skyline…lights off folks !

Our Molson breweries across the country will be focussed on energy savings initiatives.

What are you doing to raise awareness and participate in Earth Hour between 8 and 9pm on March 29th ?

When something as obviously great and inspiring as EARTH HOUR comes along,you just don’t need to think about it too long, or have a series of meetings and discussions about it. Earth Hour is a wonderful effort that started in Sydney Australia last year and is gaining momentum around the globe. Molson is Proud to Play our Part by taking a look across our brewery network in Canada in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Moncton and St. John’s. Our brewery managers are assessing what actions we can take on March 29th to raise awareness and make a difference in reducing energy use. Molson will also be encouraging our employees from coast to coast to consider what they can do personally on the evening of March 29th to raise awarnress in their communities and make a difference in having an effect on climate change. Jump on board !