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By acting environmentally and socially responsible today, we give future generations a healthy place to call home. The actions that you as an individual take have an impact.

The summer months bring more staff and guests into tasting rooms across the country. Invite your whole team to join in your brand’s sustainability efforts when you practice these 5 Sustainable Tasting Room Habits.

5 Sustainable Tasting Room Habits

Tip #1: Conserve

Simple actions like completely shutting off water faucets after use and notifying management of leaks help to conserve this limited resource.

Turning lights and appliances off when not in use reduces electricity use. Although the commercial end-use energy sector uses the smallest amount of energy of the four sectors (transportation [36%], industrial [35%], residential [16%], commercial [13%]), the majority of the energy used comes from fossil fuels (EIA.gov, 2022). Small efforts in the workplace reduce reliance on non-renewable energy.
 

Tip #2: Recycle Responsibly

We know the importance of recycling, but when heading to the bin with recyclables in hand, it’s easy to forget the nuances.

Some items can be recycled together, like cardboard, paper, (some) plastics, and metal. Glass is usually recycled separately, and sometimes separated by color!

It may be tempting to line a recycling bin with a plastic bag, but it can actually be detrimental to your good efforts. Plastic bags can clog recycling machinery, contaminate other recyclable materials, and potentially lead to recyclable material ending up in the landfill. Instead, keep items loose, or use a paper or reusable bag to line the can (Recycling 101 – Waste Management).

Your wine bottle corks can be recycled and turned into many other useful items! Start a collection container and send it off to be repurposed. ReCork has a map of Drop-off Locations that makes it easy to find a cork recycling partner near you. Consider teaming up with neighboring tasting rooms and send your cork in together.
 

Tip #3: Reduce and Reuse

Upgrade to glass and metal dishes in the break room to cut down on single-use plastics.  Sanitize and reuse wine bottles for serving water in the tasting room.

These small changes can drastically reduce your weekly waste!
 

Tip #4: Source Locally

Check out local artists and small businesses for crafts, snacks, and knick-knacks to offer for sale in your tasting room.

This is a great way to introduce your guests to local talent and support your community.
 

Tip #5: Bike or Carpool to Work

There are several alternative transportation options available today for eco-conscious commuters. Trips can be shared by carpooling or using public transportation to reduce the number of cars on the road. Riding a bike, e-bike, skateboard, or one-wheel has the added bonus of getting your blood pumping!

Take it Further: Talk SIP!

We made it easy for your team to learn about the good work your brand does to get SIP Certified.

These free resources will teach them how to tell your sustainable story.
 

1. Book a Live Sustainability Training

Invite us to your next staff meeting! With this training, your staff can:

• Learn what sustainability really means in the wine industry.
• Identify 7 specific ways YOUR brand practices sustainability.
• Share this knowledge with your customers to increase sales.

Reach out to whitney@vineyardteam.org to book yours today.
 

2. Use the Free Online Course

The free, 30-min online course is a simple yet powerful tool that will teach your team about:

• Sustainability in the wine industry.
• The SIP Certified program.
• How to tell your Sustainable Story to increase sales.

Click here to take the course.
 

3. Use the Worksheet

Bring the worksheet to your next staff meeting so you can write your Sustainable Story together!

After completing it, you’ll have 7 specific examples of how your brand practices sustainability – i.e., your Sustainable Story.

Download:  Print & fill version | Electronic version

SIP Certified Vineyard Team sustainable sustainable winegrowing sustainability sustainable vineyard sustainable story wine tasting tasting room