Eco Upgrades: 6 Ways the Wine Industry Is Transforming to Become More Sustainable
With the world facing some pretty serious environmental issues and people doing their best on an individual level to help the planet, more and more customers are refusing to support companies that don’t factor in their impact and actively try to reduce it. Like most sectors, the wine industry is doing its best to become more sustainable, but it isn’t a straightforward process.
In this article, we take a look at six ways the wine industry is becoming more sustainable so you can get a peek behind the curtains of this tasty trade.
Investing in Quality Machinery
While making use of machinery during the production process may not seem like the most environmentally friendly solution, it can be helpful in the wine industry. Selection of quality harvesting equipment, use of quality Pellenc harvester parts, and efficient watering systems can have a massive impact on a vineyard’s output. These tweaks can help improve operational efficiency while also reducing waste, thus solving a massive issue for some growers.
Improving Water Efficiency
In addition to using the right equipment, many vineyards are also working with their local environment rather than against it. By finding the optimal time to water crops, vineyards are improving their water efficiency drastically. By monitoring the moisture levels in their soil and analyzing factors like the impact of temperature and weather patterns, growers can greatly reduce their water consumption. Many vineyards also process their wastewater on-site, with biological treatments, aeration, and filtration. These processes further reduce their environmental footprint.
Sustainable Packaging
With almost thirty percent of the average wine’s carbon footprint coming from its packaging, it makes sense that the industry is looking for more sustainable options. By switching this element up, vineyards can make their operations instantly greener, and with wine being such a popular drink, the impact on a worldwide scale is significant.
Organic Repellents
Insects are a major issue for winemakers, but pesticides are a big problem for the planet. The good news is that many vineyards are moving towards natural repellents and physical barriers rather than nasty chemicals. This is great for their soil in areas where wash-off from their vineyards ends up. It’s also better for the health of wine drinkers, so everybody wins in this situation.
Social Procurement
Another way the wine industry is doing better for both people and the planet is by practicing social procurement. By sourcing the goods and services they need from small local businesses with ethical practices, vineyards can help their communities and the environment as a whole. When social purchasing practices become widespread in a region, everybody enjoys a reduction in their carbon footprint plus other societal perks.
Streamlining the Process from Vine to Table
Finally, many vineyards are choosing to cut out intermediaries and sell directly. This may seem like more of a profit thing than an environmental thing, but it can actually help with both. When vineyards sell directly, they’re able to reduce packaging while also ensuring that their products ship via a carbon-neutral method. This may not seem like a big deal, but as noted above, almost 30% of a wine’s carbon footprint comes from its packaging, so this is an important step in the right direction.
The wine industry is making great strides toward being more sustainable, and the strategies outlined in this piece aren’t the only steps they’re taking. So, next time you go to take a sip of your favorite drop, you can enjoy it a little more, knowing that the sector is working to help our planet.
