Sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of what we do. An ever-evolving concept, we aim to reflect best practice and collaborate with partners who share our values to achieve it.
Nanakutzi owner Luz María Saavedra receiving recognition from the Mexican government for their sustainability work, alongside Yolanda Ruiz Sánchez, president of Mujeres del mezcal.
The first mezcal brand in Mexico to receive this certification.
Working with producers who share our values
We set out with a clear aim to not perpetuate issues in the mezcal industry.
Our first step was to develop criteria for producers we collaborate with to meet. We spent two years searching for and developing relationships with producers who met these criteria and shared our vision and values.
Going forward, we are working with producers to evolve towards production methods that further reduce environmental and ecological harm. We will use some of our profits to support them to achieve this.
We are realistic and open that change won’t happen overnight, but we will continue to collaborate with producers and other partners to achieve our goals.
Agave cultivation and mezcal production
Here are some of the actions our partners are taking:
- Avoiding the use of agrochemicals.
- Replanting agaves to replace those harvested.
- Recognition from the Mexican Ministry of the Environment for their work on environmental sustainability.
- Composting waste from production in family and community gardens.
- Working with academics to:
- Produce a life cycle analysis of the mezcal
- Identify the microorganisms involved in the production processes.
- Pilot an on site facility to recycle vinasse (wet waste).
- Reduce the use of firewood and water.
Supply chain
- Shipping: Our first step was to refuse air freight for any shipments. While sea cargo is imperfect, it is the lowest impact option which is currently available. Longer term, we plan to ship by sailboat.
- Packaging and Distribution: Our bottle packaging is plastic-free, recyclable, biodegradable and compostable and made from over 85% recycled paper pulp.
Issues in the mezcal industry
To do better, we believe transparency and vocalising issues is essential.
Overharvesting:
- Resource Depletion: Agave plants take from 7 to 25+ years to mature. Overharvesting due to high demand leads to resource depletion.
- Biodiversity Loss: Cultivating a limited number of agave species can reduce biodiversity, making crops more vulnerable to pests and diseases.
Deforestation and Land Use:
- Habitat Destruction: Expanding agave plantations often results in deforestation, impacting local ecosystems and wildlife.
- Soil Degradation: Intensive farming practices can degrade soil quality, reducing agricultural productivity in the long term.
Water Consumption:
- High Water Use: The production process, particularly during fermentation and distillation, requires significant water, potentially straining local water resources.
- Water Pollution: Wastewater from mezcal production can contaminate local water supplies if not properly treated.
Waste Management:
- Waste: The byproduct of mezcal production (bagasse, vinasse, and leaves), can accumulate in large quantities, posing disposal challenges.
- Environmental Impact: Improper disposal of waste can lead to soil and water contamination.
Energy Consumption:
- Fossil fuel use: Most mezcal production relies on fossil fuel use – traditionally firewood – for distillation, contributing to deforestation and carbon emissions.
Social and Economic Issues:
- Labor Practices: Ensuring fair labor practices and wages for workers in the mezcal industry is crucial for social sustainability.
- Cultural Erosion: Industrialisation and commercialisation of mezcal can lead to the erosion of traditional production methods and cultural heritage.
Market Pressures:
- Demand Fluctuations: Volatile market demand can lead to boom-and-bust cycles, affecting the stability of local economies and communities dependent on mezcal production.
- Quality vs. Quantity: Pressure to increase production can compromise the quality of mezcal, affecting its traditional craftsmanship and cultural value.
Future plans
We are a small, independent organisation with limited financial backing. Changes we can make will be gradual and, due to our holistic, collaborative, model with mezcal producers, we will never be prescriptive with changes. We want to evolve in partnership with them.
That being said, we already have some projects we’re working on that we’re excited about. Here is just a taste of what’s to come:
- Life-cycle analysis of all of our products. To ensure full transparency on our impact as a business and to highlight key areas of improvement.
- Shipping our products by sailboat. This limits the times of year we can ship and introduces additional cost, but is a core focus for minimising our footprint.
- Local eco-distribution. A scheme which offers incentives to people in Bristol for receiving mezcal distributed by bicycle.
- Regenerative projects. We will work further with academics in Mexico to support projects in the communities from which we source our mezcal to restore biodiversity.
- Pollinating bats. Work with our partners and key stakeholders to follow best practice to protect pollinating bats.
We will get there with your support. So, buy a bottle and join us on our journey.
