Crumbs Brewing, the innovative brainchild of Surrey-based husband-and-wife team, Morgan and Elaine Arnell, has been recognised for its outstanding commitment to sustainability, clinching a top accolade at the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards.
The alarming statistic that 44% of UK bread goes to waste was the catalyst that spurred the Arnells to establish Crumbs Brewing in 2017. In a unique collaboration with local bakery, Chalk Hills, they embarked on a mission to transform surplus loaves into a range of distinctive beers. This innovative approach not only curbs waste but also introduces beer enthusiasts to a novel brewing concept.
From its humble beginnings at local markets, Crumbs Brewing’s reach has impressively expanded to the shelves of major retailers such as Waitrose and John Lewis. To date, their sustainable brewing methods have repurposed close to 40,000 loaves, preventing over 4.2 tonnes of CO2e emissions.
But their commitment to the environment doesn’t stop at repurposing bread. The brewery operates on green energy, utilises electric delivery vehicles, and has pledged to plant a tree for every purchase made from their online store. Their recent achievement of B-Corp certification further cements their dedication to sustainable business practices.
Layton from Marie Claire UK lauded the brand, stating, “Their passion shines through not only in brewing but also in eliminating food, and specifically bread waste. They have recently and successfully gained B-Corp certification and are very open about the fact that this is the beginning of their sustainability journey, rather than the end.” He further added, “Their mission is clear: they want to ‘make waste wonderful’ by fighting food waste and turning unsold bread into delicious beer. There is an emphasis on reducing their carbon footprint, and they are specific about aiming to be carbon neutral by 2030 (and ultimately carbon negative). A very impressive enterprise and a worthy winner of this award. Bravo!”
For Morgan, Elaine, and the entire Crumbs Brewing team, this award is not just a recognition but a testament to their unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the environment, one brew at a time.
