Anheuser-Busch Environmental Sustainability

U.S. Breweries Continue to Increase Recycling Rates, and Reduce Water Use, CO2 Emissions and Energy Consumption

Anheuser-Busch InBev today announced its progress toward achieving a set of aggressive three-year global environmental goals set in 2009. Core among these goals is a leading-edge water-usage target of 3.5 hectoliters of water for each hectoliter of production by the end of 2012. In 2011, the global company’s average water use was 3.71 hectoliters per hectoliter of production, which represents an 8.2 percent reduction versus 2010, and a 13.7 percent reduction against its 2009 baseline. The company is on track to reach the savings it committed to achieving by the end of 2012.

In addition to water conservation, AB InBev aims to meet its ambitious global goals to reduce energy use, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase its recycling rate. In support of the global initiatives, the U.S. breweries achieved impressive sustainability results in 2011.

The U.S. team reduced water use by 5 percent, CO2 emissions by 4 percent and energy consumption by 4.78 percent, as purchased electricity was reduced by 2.25 percent and purchased fuel by 5.6 percent. The U.S. facilities also recycled more than 99.6 percent of the solid waste used in the brewing and packaging processes.

“Our U.S. breweries are leading the way for both our company and the brewing industry when it comes to reducing, reusing and recycling the resources used to brew and package our beers,” said Pete Kraemer, vice president of Supply at Anheuser-Busch. “The credit goes to our employees, who are passionate about finding innovative ways to recycle and conserve our natural resources inside and outside our breweries.”

Budweiser annually joins people around the globe in celebrating World Environment Day (June 5), a day organized by the United Nations to encourage environmental sustainability initiatives. As part of its celebration, the U.S. team promotes water conservation in its facilities and supports the protection and preservation of water through river cleanups and other activities..

On November 15, Bud Light will again recognize America Recycles Day, which encourages individuals and businesses to recycle. The annual event is organized by Anheuser-Busch’s long-time partner, Keep America Beautiful.

Overview of Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Global Goals Progress

* AB InBev is well on its way to achieving the ambitious goal of reducing its energy use per hectoliter of production by 10 percent by the end of 2012.

* In 2011, the company achieved a 5.2 percent decrease in energy use on a per hectoliter basis (megajoules per hectoliter), which represents an 8.7 percent overall decrease compared to 2009, its baseline year.

* The company also cut its greenhouse gas emissions per hectoliter of production by 5 percent in 2011, which represents a total reduction of 11.5 percent since 2009. Therefore, not only has AB InBev achieved its goal of reducing CO₂ emissions per hectoliter of production by 10 percent, it did it one year ahead of schedule.

* The company is closing in on meeting its goal of a 99 percent recycling rate – it reached 98.2 percent in 2011 by continuing to eliminate material losses, improve packaging efficiencies and determine cost-effective alternative uses for raw materials and byproducts.

For more information on AB InBev’s Global Goals, click here to view the release.