MillerCoors Employees Support Water Stewardship With Volunteer Events Across the Country

CHICAGO, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- MillerCoors reinforces its commitment to protect and preserve local water resources, a key sustainable development priority for the company, with its second annual Water Stewardship Volunteer Month this September. MillerCoors breweries across the country will partner with local non-profit organizations to host employee volunteer activities focused on protecting local watersheds.  

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"Clean, high-quality water is not only a key ingredient in our great beers, it's also an essential ingredient for healthy and vibrant communities across the country," said MillerCoors Chief Executive Officer Leo Kiely.

MillerCoors will build upon the success of its first Water Stewardship Volunteer Month, during which more than 500 employees volunteered 1,650 hours. Through activities with non-profits in 11 MillerCoors communities, employees will help clean up rivers and beaches, test water quality, remove invasive species and plant native trees and shrubs along river banks.

MillerCoors is constantly working to be a good steward of water and reduce water usage. In 2009, the company recorded a water usage ratio of 4.11 barrels of water per barrel of beer produced and continues to work towards its 2015 goal of reducing water usage by 15 percent to achieve a water-to-beer ratio of 3.50 to 1.00. The company is also conducting water foot-printing research to identify and address future risks.

Several MillerCoors breweries across the country have implemented innovative ways to conserve water. At the Ft. Worth brewery, dry lubricant is used on some of its production lines instead of water and the brewery will switch to the dry lubricant on all lines by the end of 2010. The Ft. Worth brewery currently uses 3.5 barrels of water per barrel of beer produced. Several other breweries are also researching the use of dry lubricant in their production lines.  

"Water stewardship is a priority for the business and our employees are passionate about making a difference. We build awareness around preserving this precious resource in September to give employees the opportunity to volunteer in the communities where we live and work," Kiely added.  For every employee volunteer hour, MillerCoors will donate $2 to the United Way.

Listed below are the Water Stewardship Volunteer Month events taking place throughout September.

Golden, CO, Saturday, September 11, 9am-3pm

The brewery will host its fourth annual Friends of the Forest day in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Forest Foundation to repair the streambed along Clear Creek.

Elkton, VA, Friday, September 17, 9am-1pm

Employees will volunteer with Shenandoah Valley Pure Water Forum to help clean up the Island Ford Boat Launch on Shenandoah River while canoeing.

Albany, GA, Friday, September 17, 2pm-4pm

The brewery will team with Keep Albany/Dougherty Beautiful to pick up litter near Lake Chehaw and help place storm drain markers on city streets.

Chicago, IL, Saturday, September 18, 9am-12pm

Volunteers will restore the Chicago River waterway by planting a garden, testing water quality and removing invasive plants with Friends of the Chicago River.

Fort Worth, TX, Saturday, September 18, 8:30am-11:30am

Employees will join with the Tarrant Regional Water District for the 19th annual Trinity River Trash Bash.

Chippewa Falls, WI, Saturday, September 25, 8am-11:30am

Leinenkugel employees will team with Chippewa Falls Department of Parks and Recreation to clean up the banks of Duncan Creek and build a rain garden.

Eden, NC, Saturday, September 25, 8am-12pm

Employees will help restore the Leaksville Landing boat access and historic Bateau Port in partnership with the Dan River Basin Association.

Trenton, OH, Saturday, September 25, 9am-12pm

The brewery will work with Miami Conservancy District to secure the banks of a new boat ramp and landscape the area overlooking the river.  

Irwindale, CA, Saturday, September 25, 9am-12pm

The brewery will join the Ocean Conservancy to help clean up the coast as part of the International Coastal Clean-up.

Milwaukee, WI, Saturday, September 25, 9am-12pm

Employees will clean up the Milwaukee River and remove trash at Lincoln Park with partner Milwaukee Riverkeeper.

Puerto Rico, Saturday, September 25, 9am-1pm

Employees will work with Coalicion Playa Para Todos in Mar Chiquita in Manati to help clean up the beach for International Clean-Up day.

For more information on these activities and other sustainability initiatives, visit www.GreatBeerGreatResponsibility.com or Great Beer, Great Responsibility on Facebook.  

About MillerCoors

Built on a foundation of great beer brands and more than 288 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers.  MillerCoors is the second largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales.  Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment.  Miller Lite is the great tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to refreshment as cold as the Rockies.  MGD 64 completes the company's premium light beer portfolio, offering consumers fresh, crisp taste at just 64 calories.  MillerCoors brews premium beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft; and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light.  The company also imports Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell, Grolsch and Molson Canadian and offers innovative products such as Miller Chill and Sparks.  MillerCoors features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company.  MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel's craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, WI and two microbreweries, the 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver.  MillerCoors vision is to create America's best beer company by driving profitable industry growth.  MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact.  MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company.

SOURCE MillerCoors