# 5 Reasons Why Alcohol Is Not Eco-Friendly

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/09/5-reasons-why-alcohol-is-not-eco-friendly/
- Published: 2021-09-03T18:44:52-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Alcohol consumption is pretty common in our society, so it is not surprising that
many people ignore or overlook what it takes to mass-produce such drinks.  Yet, 
critical insight into the requirement for producing alcohol can open our eyes to
shocking details of why people should reduce consumption. 

Many people consider alcohol as a means to celebrate, to [relieve stress](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/09/what-to-expect-at-an-eco-spa-day/),
to grief, etc. However, there are various reasons one might consider cutting back
on alcohol consumption. Excessive use can set the stage for various chronic health
issues like heart failure and impaired judgment. Even though these are valid reasons
to give up alcohol, many people do not realize that reducing alcohol use can save
the environment. 

From [deforestation](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/05/deforestation-101/) to excessive
demand on the water to high energy consumption and excessive release of carbon to
the atmosphere, the mass production of alcohol is a menace that gradually degrades
the environment. 

More than any time in history, now is the best time to reduce [alcohol production](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/06/8-practical-ways-to-cope-with-eco-anxiety/)
as many natural resources and occurrences worldwide are pointing to global warming.
The [actions of humans](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/09/an-education-on-how-to-reduce-reuse-and-recycle/)
over the years have set the stage for extreme temperatures, wildfires, and floods
in many nations, which call for a need to save the planet. Even though alcohol production
is one of the biggest industries in the US and many countries, the damage to the
planet is alarming. 

This article explores five alarming ways the production of alcohol is not eco-friendly:

![Many people consider alcohol as a means to celebrate to relieve stress to grief
etc However there are various reasons one might consider cutting back on alcohol
consumption Excessive use can set the stage for various chronic health issues like
heart failure and impaired judgment Even though these are valid reasons to give 
up alcohol many people do not realize that reducing alcohol use can save the environment
from deforestation to excessive demand on the water to high energy consumption and
excessive release of carbon to the atmosphere the mass production of alcohol is 
a menace that gradually degrades the environment    more than any time in history
now is the best time to reduce alcohol production as many natural resources and 
occurrences worldwide are pointing to global warming The actions of humans over 
the years have set the stage for extreme temperatures wildfires and floods in many
nations which call for a need to save the planet Even though alcohol production 
is one of the biggest industries in the us and many countries the damage to the 
planet is alarming  ](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/
09/unnamed-3.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=52&ssl=1 "unnamed-3 - The Green Living
Guy")

## **Deforestation**

Many people love alcohol, so the production is high in various countries worldwide.
Due to such high demand, there is excessive demand on land and natural resources
to meet the demand. As a result, people have to produce mass quantities of multiple
materials like hops, barley, and grapes. 

Cultivating such crops in mass requires a large expanse of land, fertilizer, water,
pesticides, etc. Using mechanized equipment for tilling the ground adds to the carbon
footprint. Excessive use of pesticides disturbs the balance of the ecosystem and
introduces toxins into the environment. The demand for water supply is massive since
water is primal to the cultivation of such crops.

The need to produce such crops in mass warrants deforestation to access more farmlands.
Getting rid of trees significantly depletes oxygen from the environment, reducing
the rate at which carbon dioxide disappears from the environment. Sadly, this also
leads to the destruction of natural habitats for wildlife, which might cause the
extinction of some species. 

## **Excessive Carbon Footprint from Alcohol Distribution**

Sadly, it is not only the planting and production stage of [alcohol that disturbs the environment](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/01/local-treatment-plant-site-for-contaminated-groundwater/).
Every year, we ship billions of beer crates worldwide. This considerable process
requires extreme energy and fuel for transportation, refrigeration, and overall 
distribution. 

As a result, wine and spirits, especially those not produced locally, must be shipped
from various parts of the world. France is known for champagne and ships to many
parts of the world. Poland and Russia ship vodka to multiple counties. Your favorite
bottle of bourbon comes from Kentucky.

With this, when you take your favorite alcohol, know that tons of carbon must have
been released into the atmosphere before it got to you, and it also jeopardizes 
your chance with a [random drug test](https://nortonmedical.com/). 

![Excessive carbon footprint from alcohol distribution  sadly it is not only the
planting and production stage of alcohol that disturbs the environment Every year
we ship billions of beer crates worldwide This considerable process requires extreme
energy and fuel for transportation refrigeration and overall distribution    as 
a result wine and spirits especially those not produced locally must be shipped 
from various parts of the world France is known for champagne and ships to many 
parts of the world Poland and russia ship vodka to multiple counties Your favorite
bottle of bourbon comes from kentucky With this when you take your favorite alcohol
know that tons of carbon must have been released into the atmosphere before it got
to you and it also jeopardizes your chance with a random drug test  ](https://i0.
wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/unnamed-2.jpg?resize=200%2C300&
quality=52&ssl=1 "unnamed-2 - The Green Living Guy")

##  **Comes with Packages that affect Landfills**

Many breweries worldwide package their alcoholic products in various materials that
also do not help the environment. Many use packaging materials made of plastic, 
aluminum, glass, etc. Most of these materials are not [biodegradable](https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/biodegradable-and-compostable-plastics/biodegradable-and-compostable-plastics-challenges);
as a result, the constituent is a nuisance to the environment. 

Every year, all over the world, people send millions of bottles and other packages
to landfills. Such materials result in various forms of pollution, which act as 
an eyesore and contaminate the environment. These materials are not easy to recycle,
and worst still, they end up in oceans and landfills, further degrading the environment.

Almost 50 billion cans are not recycled every year in the US, while 70% end up in
landfills. Also, 50% of alcohol containers end up in the waste bin in the UK which
also goes to landfills.

## **Alcohol production Demands Excessive Energy**

The production process of alcohol also demands excessive energy. In the United States
alone, breweries spend more than $200 million on energy every year. [Energy consumption](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/01/5-reasons-renewable-energy-benefits-water-quality/)
is at an average of 6% for the entire cost to produce. In addition, brewery equipment
like boilers, pumps, heat exchangers, etc., stalemates for energy.

Generally, breweries producing beers use 95.1 kWh of electricity per square foot,
alongside 537,000 Btu of natural gas. In addition to this excessive reliance on 
energy, various pollution in terms of carbon and other greenhouse gases pollute 
the environment. These gases are expensive to capture, so they just release them
into the atmosphere. They also pollute freshwater around them. 

## **Excessive Reliance on Water**

Water is one of the most valuable resources on earth, yet humans hardly value it
since it is readily available. There is news of water levels dropping in various
parts of the world, [according to research](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421101625.htm).
According to [the National Geography](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/partner-content-americas-looming-water-crisis)
as well, there are fears that America is running out of water. However, many people
hardly give this a thought as water is readily available when they turn on the tap.
Humans take it for granted, yet water is a finite resource. 

Our survival on earth, both humans and animals, is hinged on access to clean water,
even though water scarcity is rising in many regions. Lack of access to clean water
is killing many people, and these statistics are worse by our careless approach 
to water use. 

Alcohol production consumes an alarmingly massive amount of water. Almost every 
stage of its production requires water from cultivating to actual production in 
the factory. To produce a standard 0.5 liters [bottle of beer](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/03/fda-rejects-nrdc-call-to-eliminate-bpa-from-food-packaging/)
requires 148 liters of water. You can imagine the billions of liters of water used
daily for the mass production of alcohol. 

![Excessive reliance on water  water is one of the most valuable resources on earth
yet humans hardly value it since it is readily available There is news of water 
levels dropping in various parts of the world according to research According to
the national geography as well there are fears that america is running out of water
However many people hardly give this a thought as water is readily available when
they turn on the tap Humans take it for granted yet water is a finite resource  
our survival on earth both humans and animals is hinged on access to clean water
even though water scarcity is rising in many regions Lack of access to clean water
is killing many people and these statistics are worse by our careless approach to
water use    alcohol production consumes an alarmingly massive amount of water Almost
every stage of its production requires water from cultivating to actual production
in the factory To produce a standard 0 5 liters bottle of beer requires 148 liters
of water You can imagine the billions of liters of water used daily for the mass
production of alcohol  ](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/
2021/09/unnamed.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 "unnamed - The Green Living Guy")

### **Conclusion**

Giving up alcohol might seem far-fetched for many people. It will affect the nation’s
GDP, and there will be job loss. However, it will help if production companies look
for sustainable ways to cultivate hops, barley, etc., alongside alcohol production.

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
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