A TASTE
OF HOPE

We want to run a business that’s as sustainable as possible – which is why we’re measuring our impact.

Sustainable Business Awards 2021

We were thrilled to have our work recognised in the 2021 Sustainable Business Awards, where won the 'Going Circular' category. The Going Circular Award, sponsored by Auckland Council, is presented to an organisation making demonstrable progress in helping create a circular economy in New Zealand – where the lifecycles of materials are maximised, optimised and continued indefinitely through continuous reuse.

The judges said: “This is a brilliant example of a purpose-built circular business founded on circular principles and systems thinking. This is a lean team applying innovative thinking to an existing food waste stream, using existing infrastructure and spare capacity to generate value with zero-waste output. It’s a truly transformational business model. It incorporates systems thinking and fantastic collaboration.” 

We were also named finalists in the Good Food and Outstanding Collaboration categories.

Toward net zero emissions

We’re committed to running a low impact business. Thanks to the Toitū Carbon Assess platform, we’re able to calculate our carbon emissions. In our first year to June 2021, we offset unavoidable carbon emissions for Citizen by supporting native forest restoration projects. Our next challenge is to work towards net zero across all our operations and production processes.

A certified B-Corp brew partner

Our amazing brew partners, Sawmill Brewery, are New Zealand's only Certified B Corp brewers, which means they achieve the highest environmental and social standards.

Bread rescued, plastic saved

Each can of Citizen beer uses the fermentable sugars from one slice of rescued surplus bread that would otherwise have gone to waste or low value stock feed. Slice by slice, it adds up. In fact for every brew we put down, we rescue 280 loaves. We also upcycle the plastic bread bags and tags into fenceposts thanks to our friends at Future Post!

Brewing a positive impact

Reducing food waste is just part of the story. Because we use bread to replace a quarter of the virgin barley in every brew, our beer production uses less water, land and energy, and creates fewer emissions.