And about those cans, bottles & kegs…
We’d be remiss if we neglected to talk about how to use the beer packaging. Properly recycling packages is smart and responsible.
Cans: Ever since the 1970s energy crunch in the U.S., Americans have recycled cans faithfully. In many places there’s money to be returned to the consumer, a recycling center for disposal or a metals dealer that pays for cans. It’s a great incentive for some to reclaim a deposit or make money selling the cans. Dig around in your communities for available choices. Does your municipality recycle them already? Can you return the cans to the store for a deposit refund? Can you sell them to a recycling center? Can you donate them to groups as part of their fund-raising? Can you collect cans with several friends or neighbors to amplify your efforts?
Bottles: Glass is very recyclable. The cycle is reduce, reuse and then recycle. If you can reduce your glass consumption by buying larger bottles, that’s a great step. Ask yourself: Does your municipality truly recycle the glass beer bottles you generate? Or can you repurpose bottles in another way such as donating them to local homebrewers? Where does the glass go is the question you should ask yourself before buying bottled beer.
Kegs: If you buy a keg of beer from a retailer or brewery, it must be returned to the source. The keg is the property of the brewery . If you got it from the brewery, return it there.
If the kegs are ones you bought for your own use, get them refilled as needed. Is your keg out of kilter or otherwise damaged and unusable? There are keg repair companies. Reach out to one of them to check on fixing your beloved beer drum and extend its life.
If the kegs are yours and are unusable, you can sell them to a metal scrap yard. To be sure they are unusable, consult a keg repair company to see if the kegs can be repaired.
The novel planters outside Portland's Hopworks Urban Brewery are fashioned from recycled kegs.
Boxes and cardboard: Corrugated cardboard is often recycled, so look into recycling facilities in your area. Break boxes down, flatten six- or four-pack carriers, bundle them up and take them to a recycler or set them curbside for collection. Cardboard from beer cases and carrier packs can also be used in landscaping. Lay flat sheets of cardboard on grass or weeds you want to kill for a non-chemical solution. If you live in a really damp climate, ripped or shredded cardboard beer packaging can be composted.
Beer in your glass first. Beer around the home, yard, garden and garage next. It can help us out and make us happy. Give pause to how this ancient beverage can serve you. Cheers to diverse, delicious and versatile beer.
