This Earth Day, The Gin Guild is proud to unveil a landmark initiative set to transform the gin industry’s approach to sustainability: the Gin Guild Sustainability Toolkit. Developed in collaboration with leading distillers, sustainability experts, and industry stakeholders, this comprehensive resource is designed to empower gin producers of all sizes to take meaningful, measurable steps toward a greener future.

Why Now? Meeting the Moment for Change

The launch of the Sustainability Toolkit couldn’t be more timely. Recent research by The Gin Guild reveals that 69% of UK gin drinkers consider sustainability when choosing a brand, with half actively checking for credentials before purchasing. Younger consumers, in particular, are demanding action on climate change, ethical sourcing, and human rights. The message is clear: sustainability is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s an expectation.

As Pal Gleed, Director General of The Gin Guild, puts it:

“Consumers are increasingly looking to brands that align with their values. The Sustainability Toolkit is a response to this demand. We wanted to equip distillers with a practical resource that could guide their sustainability journey and empower them to make choices that are not just ethical but achievable.”

What’s Inside the Toolkit? Practical Solutions for Real-World Impact

The Toolkit addresses the most pressing sustainability challenges facing gin distillers today, offering actionable guidance across key areas:

  • Reducing Emissions: Strategies for energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption.
  • Water Conservation: Guidance on closed-loop systems and recycling initiatives.
  • Waste Minimisation: Ideas for repurposing production materials.
  • Packaging Innovation: Recommendations for lighter bottles, recycled glass, and biodegradable options.
  • Ethical Sourcing: Tools to map supply chains and prioritise biodiversity and fair trade.
  • Governance and Transparency: Frameworks for data measurement and reporting aligned with global standards like SBTi and CSRD.

Jim Long, Board Director at The Gin Guild, highlights the Toolkit’s inclusivity:

“The Gin Guild membership spans global gin brands to SMDs—Small to Medium sized Distilleries—who were founded and have grown up during a fast-moving gin boom. As a result, we have a very diverse membership and knowledge pool to draw upon. The toolkit has greatly benefitted from this and is a roadmap that is designed to allow all distilleries, big or small, to demonstrate credible sustainability credentials to all audiences.”

Collaboration at the Heart

The Toolkit is the result of industry-wide collaboration, with contributions from distilling leaders such as Anne Brock (Bombay Sapphire/Bacardi), Will Edge (Greensand Ridge Distillery), and Fiona Humphries (Sipsmith). Their expertise spans sustainable distillation, carbon-neutral micro-distilling, and innovative packaging.

Fiona Humphries shares:

“This isn’t just about compliance, it’s about the industry coming together to share knowledge and expertise to encourage as many gin distilleries as possible to adopt the ideas in the toolkit. For new distilleries starting out on their sustainability journeys, the Toolkit provides invaluable information about the practical steps that they can take today to make meaningful progress, both to protect people and the planet, as well as saving money.”

Will Edge adds:

“The great thing about this toolkit for small distilleries is that it gives you the baby steps, next steps and then stretch goals. As a distiller who may be struggling with some of the big challenges you can go back and begin the sustainability journey with simpler things. The toolkit gives you an industry-specific roadmap that is backed up with research, scientific thinking and many of the initiatives are cost neutral.”

A Call to Action: #TenGreenBottles

The launch of the Toolkit is more than just a resource—it’s a rallying cry for the gin industry. Alongside the Toolkit, The Gin Guild is launching the #TenGreenBottles campaign, running throughout 2025, to inspire collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the sector.

As Pal Gleed notes:

“As an industry rooted in tradition and craftsmanship, we have both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead by example. This Earth Day marks a defining moment for gin producers worldwide—a chance to raise our standards while raising our glasses to a greener, conscience and planet-led future.”

Ready to Take the Next Step?

The Gin Guild Sustainability Toolkit is available now, free to all Gin Guild members and at a small fee for non-members. Whether you’re a global brand or a small-batch producer, this resource provides the practical steps you need to make a real difference.

Join us in launching #TenGreenBottles—a campaign uniting distilleries in enabling greener practices for a better future.

🌍 Explore the Gin Guild Sustainability Toolkit here