Effective application of a circular economy in the beverage industry’s bottling operations.

Abstract

This thesis investigated how the beverage industry effectively implements a circular economy model and in which areas they usually choose to apply it. The author aimed to research some of the most recognized brands in the beer sector to understand how the industry performs such important practices in the most sustainable way possible.

This thesis is a research-based investigation in which the author used qualitative and quantitative research methods to provide interesting and accurate data regarding sustainability and how many companies are environmentally aware. In the theoretical framework, the author explained the definition of circular economy, and environmental awareness and addressed topics related to how the beer sector operates sustainably with the help of recycling companies and glass-supplying companies.

After going through the basic information about the beverage industry and its base operations, the research and the results show how important circular models are in the beverage industry and how they find alternatives day by day to remain sustainable and achieve their goals, such as finding partners that would potentially help them achieving those sustainability goals and even identifying other risks.

The circular economy model has helped many industries by keeping their operations “green”. However, if it is not properly applied, it might damage a brand’s image and credibility among stakeholders and audiences. This investigation shows how companies in this industry care about being environmentally friendly and how they have had to overcome some challenges in order to achieve so.