VODKA THAT CAN SAVE THE PLANET?
05.3.08 - Leído 30 veces. Enviar esta notaKate Webb
Exhibitors tout earth-friendly products, ideas. It may be a sign that humanity is approaching the pinnacle of technology when a distiller comes out with a spirit that offers an earth-friendly buzz
VANCOUVER, Canada; May 3, 2008.- George Angelopulos, sales manager for 360 Vodka, is one of over 200 exhibitors that have been stationed at the second annual EPIC (Ethical. Progressive. Intelligent. Consumer.) sustainable-living expo at Canada Place since Friday. The trade show continues in its final day today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., showcasing some of the most socially and ecologically sustainable businesses around.
“We’re not selling tradition here,” said an unapologetic Angelopulos. “This is the first eco-friendly vodka in the world.”
While many of the products at the trade show, from beauty products and cars to clothing and cleaners, boast environmental benefits, 360 Vodka stood out as a commodity that has had painstaking environmental attention paid in every facet of its creation — hence the name.
First off, the bottles are made of 85-per-cent recycled glass, explained Angelopulos, the highest percentage possible, and the vodka itself is organic and brewed with grains grown entirely within a 150-kilometre radius of the factory.
“You get a bottle from Russia or France, that takes a lot of energy to get it here,” he said. “This is all about local and sustainable.”
But there’s a lot more to what’s in the clear bottle than meets the eye. A patent-pending process developed by the Missouri-based McCormick Distillation company has made the distillation 200 per cent more energy efficient than traditional pot stills, and the potent drink is filtered five times through natural coconut husks.
The bottles also come with postage-paid, pre-addressed envelopes attached so purchasers can mail the swing-caps back to the manufacturer to be reused. For every customer who does that, the company will donate $1 to an environmental charity, such as the World Wildlife Fund.
But the kicker is in the advertising. 360 Vodka’s website is wind-powered, its labels and shipping crates made of 100-per-cent recycled paper, its promotional coasters sprout wildflowers when planted, and billboards and posters promoting it are biodegradable vinyl.
The bottles won’t hit shelves in B.C. until at least June 20, but sales elsewhere have saved 113 trees, 48,371 gallons of water, and 4,785 kg of greenhouse gases.
Today at EPIC, visitors will also be able to catch several eco-leaders on the main stage, including author Linda Hunter at 11 a.m., Run For One Planet masterminds Matt Hill and Stephanie Tait at 12 p.m., and Simon Jackson, founder of the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition, at 1 p.m. For full details, visit www.epicexpo.com. kwebb@png.canwest.com
(The Province)
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