‘Greener Planet Award’ for Galway Distillery at European Awards
Barry Cowen MEP with Ahascragh Distillery Founders – Michelle & Gareth McAllister receiving their Greener Planet award
Ahascragh Distillery has been announced as the winner of the Greener Planet award at The Foodies 2024. This European celebration of sustainability achievement honours small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) excelling in the food and drink sector’s sustainability efforts.
The Greener Planet category recognises SMEs for their outstanding dedication to reducing environmental impact through innovation, sustainable practices, or charitable commitments. Ahascragh Distillery was celebrated for its visionary approach to sustainable distilling, incorporating renewable energy solutions, eco-conscious sourcing, and innovative practices that have significantly reduced its carbon footprint.
Gareth and Michelle McAllister, founders of Ahascragh Distillery, accepted the prestigious award at a ceremony in Brussels earlier today. They joined two other category winners in representing the 290,000 SMEs driving sustainability across Europe’s food and drink industry.
Speaking about the achievement, Gareth McAllister said: ” This award is a tremendous honour for Michelle and I, and the incredible Ahascragh Distillery team. Recognition by EU policymakers with the Greener Planet Award highlights the importance of decarbonising the production of Irish spirits. The opportunity to engage with Irish MEP Barry Cowen, along with EU policymakers, allowed for discussions about the challenges faced by Irish SMEs in the drinks sector.
Key issues raised included the need for harmonised regulations across the European market to ensure fairness and efficiency, Ireland’s soaring electricity costs – the highest in the EU- and the impact of upcoming health warning labels applied exclusively to Irish alcohol products. These challenges underscore the need to support SMEs in maintaining both their sustainability efforts and their competitiveness in a demanding market.”
The Foodies, an initiative of FoodDrinkEurope, aim to inspire and celebrate sustainability within the industry, which comprises 99% of Europe’s food and drink businesses.
Sustainability commitments
Ahascragh Distillery is leading the charge in sustainability for the sector
From its inception, Ahascragh Distillery has been driven by an ambition to decarbonise the energy source for the distilling industry and has prioritised sustainable practices including energy efficiency and reducing waste.
The distillery aims to maintain zero energy emissions through a novel means of thermal storage, combined with optimal heat recovery, recycling energy that would normally go unused. The innovative system reaches temperatures above 115° – which is a first in Ireland and the UK. This allows the distillery to achieve a saving of 1,690 tonnes of CO2 per year with a 40% reduction in cost over an expected lifetime of 20 years.
Water input and output is closely monitored in the distillery, with water supply coming from two on-site wells. The fully automated plant, featuring a clean-in-place system, sets Ahascragh Distillery apart in the industry. This system not only measures water usage but also minimises it through automation.
Ahascragh Distillery aims to further enhance the sustainability credentials of its packaging over the coming years and has outlined clear targets and commitments to be achieved in the short and long term.
