‘Every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind’ – Swami Vivekananda
The environment and climate change are a hot topic of conversation right now, from forest fires to flash floods, fast fashion and carbon emissions. But what about alcohol? Have you ever considered the environmental impact your favourite glass of wine has or a night out drinking with friends?
Alcohol can not only be detrimental to your mind and body but also to the environment. From growing the ingredients and the amount of water, fertiliser, land, energy and machinery used during the production process, to the packaging and air miles it clocks up whilst making its way to you.
Choosing to take a more mindful approach to alcohol by drinking less, or opting for a low alcoholic alternative this Dry January and beyond, can really up your environmental game. As we all know, mindful drinking is not just about your immediate relationship with alcohol but also about how our actions have a direct effect on the world around us. Drinking mindfully and living a more sustainable life really do go hand in hand.
‘Simply by switching to low or non-alcoholic drinks, you could start reducing your carbon footprint by up to 14%. That may sound minor, but when you multiply 14% by each person on the earth, that is astronomical and it all starts with one individual making more informed sustainable choices.’*
So next time you start to question your relationship with alcohol, like asking yourself: why you drink, what and when you drink, who you drink with, how drinking actually makes you feel and if you even need or want that drink, include some additional questions like; how and where was this product made and by whom, what ingredients are in it and how were they grown, how is it packaged and how far did it travel to get to me.
Taking a more mindful approach to anything can be quite overwhelming as there is so much to think about and consider. Luckily for us, there is now an ever-increasing selection of options to help you ease into it. Low and non-alcoholic alternatives are inundating the market, packed full of immune-boosting and healthy sustainably farmed ingredients, which use clean energy for manufacturing and transportation. Many come in environmentally sound packaging, creating byproducts from their waste, funding environmental research, supporting local communities and ensuring great working conditions for their employees.
So whether you decide to opt for a low alcoholic alternative or give up alcohol altogether – you can look forward to more energy, better sleep, clearer skin, a heightened immune system, better brain function, improved levels of concentration and more control over your daily decisions. All whilst knowing you are doing your bit for the planet and future generations to come.
Why not utilise your purchasing power and choose better options for yourself and the planet? Creating a healthier you and a healthier planet.
- Actively be aware of the amount of alcohol you consume on a daily or weekly basis and your motivation for drinking.
- Plan ahead. Research what low and non-alcoholic options your venues of choice stock.
- Choose local and sustainably sourced brands.
- Opt for glass or aluminium packaging over plastic.
- Remember that the higher the alcohol content, the higher the carbon footprint per litre.
- Choose organic low alcoholic drinks like mindful cocktails, wine and beer as much as possible.
- Check-in before every single alcoholic drink to see if you really want to consume it and how you feel at that precise moment.
- Savour each alcoholic drink to really taste it and appreciate it with all of your five senses.
- Have fun creating and experimenting with low and non-alcoholic cocktails.
- Give brewing your own beer or making your own wine a go.
- Always recycle your glassware and aluminium packaging.
Bacardi’s goal is to be the world’s most environmentally friendly spirits company and to be 100% plastic-free by 2030. They also run a number of global initiatives to establish botanical farming in Ghana, water irrigation in India to grow vegetables for the local community and have planted more than 200,000 trees in Scotland, Mexico, India, and the USA.
Bacardi offers mindful cocktails containing less than 1 alcohol unit and a range of options to fit your lifestyle. If you are wanting to ‘Remove” alcohol completely you can opt for a Vibrante Spritz, ‘Replace’ with lower ABV options like the La Vie En Rose or try a Mojito Spritz with 25ml instead of 50ml to ‘Reduce’ your alcohol intake.
Click here to learn more about living your best life whilst drinking mindfully. Plus enter our competition to WIN a Wanderlust Mindful Package for two (worth £500).
Please enjoy responsibly, drinkware.co.uk for the facts
*Source: https://drinklow.com/are-low-alcohol-drinks-sustainable/
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