MillerCoors and Global Water Center Achieve World Firsts in Water Stewardship

SCS Global Services (SCS), a leading international third-party certifier of environmental claims, has certified that MillerCoors Milwaukee Brewery and the Global Water Center conform with the requirements of the Alliance for Water Stewardship International Water Stewardship Standard (AWS Standard), the first-ever comprehensive global standard for measuring responsible water stewardship across social, environmental and economic criteria. MillerCoors Milwaukee Brewery and the Global Water Center, a water-focused research, office and collaboration space in Milwaukee, are the first brewery and commercial office building in the world to earn this distinction.

The AWS Standard, which is managed and administered by the Alliance for Water Stewardship, a global membership organization established by unique partnerships between the public and private sector, is the first and only global standard to promote best practice in water stewardship. The collaboration between members like The Nature Conservancy, Pacific Institute and WWF with Coca-Cola, General Mills and Nestle has created an unprecedented platform for collective action toward achieving impactful water stewardship outcomes.

Since its establishment, over 50 organizations globally have registered to certify against the standard with hundreds more utilizing the framework to implement good water stewardship practices at their site. Notably, Nestle Waters recently committed to certifying all of their sites to the AWS Standard by 2025.

“Certification to the AWS Standard means that these two facilities, which share the same catchment [or watershed], are mitigating water risks, addressing shared water challenges and taking action on responsible water stewardship,” said Matt Howard, North American Director at the Alliance for Water Stewardship. “Thanks to funding support from the Fund for Lake Michigan, implementation of the AWS Standard at these sites will help to ensure continued responsible water governance, sustainable water balance, good water quality, and healthy status of important water-related areas in this near shore region of Lake Michigan.”

“I’m incredibly proud of the entire team at the brewery in achieving AWS certification, further strengthening MillerCoors’ commitment to reduce the amount of water used to brew our beers,” said Jon Hussey, Vice President and Plant Manager of the Milwaukee Brewery. “With the rigor of AWS and strong reputation of SCS, our consumers can have confidence that we are working every day to meet our water-reduction goals and deliver a product that is sustainably brewed.”

“We’re very proud of this achievement and congratulate our partners at MillerCoors for their success. We look forward to both of these sites serving as focal points for continued corporate water stewardship in the region and around the world,” said Meghan Jensen, VP Marketing & Communications at The Water Council. “The data collected and lessons learned from these two implementations of the AWS Standard provide a scalable framework and precedent for other commercial, industrial and agricultural sites to follow.”

MillerCoors Milwaukee Brewery

Among the Global Water Center’s water stewardship accomplishments are improvements to onsite stormwater infrastructure, improved salt application during snow events and use of environmentally friendly parking lot pavement. More than 15 stakeholder groups in the Menomonee River watershed were consulted by both sites. This includes MillerCoors Milwaukee Brewery participation on the board of the Southeast Wisconsin Watersheds Trust.

MillerCoors has increased water efficiency in its brewery operations by employing innovative monitoring and processing systems. The company has implemented a number of measures to monitor and reduce water use, including short term interval controls, shortening rinse durations and cycles, and using waterless lubrication for packaging lines.

“Congratulations to MillerCoors and the Global Water Center on completing the requirements of the rigorous AWS Standard,” said Stanley Mathuram, VP of Sales & Marketing at SCS Global Services. “These two leaders in water stewardship are paving the way for other facilities in the region and beyond to demonstrate their environmental stewardship.”

More information about achieving certification under the Alliance for Water Stewardship is available at https://www.scsglobalservices.com/services/alliance-for-water-stewardship-aws or by contacting Rae Mindock at SCS: [email protected].

About SCS Global Services

SCS Global Services has been a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for more than three decades. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, power generation, retail, and more. In addition to its Emeryville, California, headquarters operation, SCS has affiliate offices in Latin America, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to many environmental NGOs due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a Chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.

About the Global Water Center

Opened in 2013, the Global Water Center (GWC) is a 98,000-sq. ft. (9,104 m2) facility located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin housing water-centric research, office and collaboration facilities for universities, existing water-related companies and new, emerging water technology companies. With over 45 tenant organizations, the GWC continues to be a magnet for U.S. and foreign dignitaries, global water technology businesses, economic development organizations and students from all levels. The development of the GWC was an important milestone as it established a highly visible headquarter base for The Water Council and a landing pad for organizations to participate in the leading U.S. water technology hub.

About MillerCoors

Through its diverse collection of storied breweries, MillerCoors brings American beer drinkers an unmatched selection of the highest quality beers, flavored malt beverages and ciders, steeped in centuries of brewing heritage. Miller Brewing Company and Coors Brewing Company brew national favorites such as Miller Lite, Miller High Life, Coors Light and Coors Banquet. MillerCoors also proudly offers beers such as Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy from sixth-generation Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, and Blue Moon Belgian White from modern craft pioneer Blue Moon Brewing Company, founded in 1995. Beyond beer, MillerCoors operates Crispin Cider Company, an artisanal maker of pear and apple ciders using fresh-pressed American juice, and offers pioneering brands such as the Redd’s franchise, Smith & Forge Hard Cider and Henry’s Hard Sodas. Tenth and Blake Beer Company, our craft and import division, is the home to craft brewers Hop Valley Brewing, Revolver Brewing, Saint Archer Brewing Company and the Terrapin Beer Company. Tenth and Blake also imports world-renowned beers such as Italy’s Peroni Nastro Azzurro, the Czech Republic’s Pilsner Urquell and the Netherlands’ Grolsch. MillerCoors, the U.S. business unit of the Molson Coors Brewing Company, has an uncompromising dedication to quality, a keen focus on innovation and a deep commitment to sustainability. Learn more at MillerCoors.com, at facebook.com/MillerCoors or on Twitter at @MillerCoors.

About AWS

The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) is a global membership-based collaboration. We unite organizations behind our mission: To lead a global network that promotes responsible use of freshwater that is socially and economically beneficial and environmentally sustainable. We achieve this through a global water stewardship system, centered on the International Water Stewardship Standard (the AWS Standard), that drives, recognizes and rewards good water stewardship performance. Our vision is that water users and managers are responsible water stewards, who protect and enhance freshwater resources for people and nature. The AWS Standard provides a globally-applicable framework for major water users to understand their water use and impacts, and to work collaboratively and transparently for sustainable water management within a catchment context.