By Elisabeth Brigham By Elisabeth Brigham | October 25, 2022 | Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Food & Drink,
Raise your glass! Aspen Distillers joins forces with Aquacycl to add a sustainable wastewater treatment at the Greenfield distillery.
Overview of Aspen Distillers in Pitkin County
Let me introduce you to the Aspen Idea: a belief that we as humans reach our highest levels (mind, body and soul) when we are empowered and surrounded by nature’s beauty. Pitkin County’s first distillery, Aspen Distillers has built its foundation on a commitment to protect the environment, and now it is making major sustainable steps forward with its latest partnership with Aquacycl. Already, the distillery’s 18,000-square foot facility is completely electrified, generating more renewable energy than it consumes. All water is fed from the snow melt at Independence Pass, and now the distillery welcomes Aquacycl’s bioelectrochemical treatment technology to the team—an on-site, energy-neutral wastewater treatment that purifies water without harmful carbon emissions and promotes improved water quality and quantity to the Colorado River Basin.
With hopes of becoming the nation’s most sustainable distillery, this change was an easy one. Founder and CEO of Aspen Distillers Matthew Patel shares, “We are thrilled to partner with Aquacycl to realize the vision of a sustainable distillery with a direct vision on the environment. This partnership is one way that we are incorporating sustainability in all aspects of our distillery, from the initial design through operation.” This energy-neutral, on-site wastewater treatment removes bulk organics from the wastewater with zero carbon emissions and provides quality water for the Colorado River Basin and agriculture on the adjacent farm. “We are excited to apply new, sustainable technologies that can improve watershed health within this critical basin,” adds Orianna Bretschger, CEO and founder of Aquacycl. “This collaborative approach to treatment and distribution provides reuse opportunities with minimal impact on the basin and simultaneously mitigates greenhouse gas emissions. This is a win-win-win for the community, Aspen Distillers and Aquacycl.”
The ability to meet all water-quality discharge levels was crucial to receiving permit approvals and support from local Pitkin County and state authorities, and it is the first distillery to register for the Living Building Challenge certification. With the goal to meet all seven performance areas laid out by the International Living Future Institute (an achievement that is shared by only 30 buildings in the world), the distillery proves that sustainably crafted spirits have never tasted so good. We’ll cheers to that! 133 Prospector Road
Photography by: PHOTO COURTESY OF ASPEN DISTILLERS