SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPIONS

Thinking outside the box, these people and places are getting creative when it comes to recycling, and reducing waste and their carbon footprint.

B IS FOR BEAU’S, BEER—AND B CORPS Tim and Steve Beauchesne, Co-founders, Beau’s Brewing Co.

Certified B Corporations globally meet strict standards for caring for the environment, their employees and the community. Beau’s became the first Canadian brewery to qualify in 2014— and still inspires others to follow their lead. The brewery treats its waste water, sends its spent goods to be used at local farms and runs on renewable energy. In 2016, father and son founders Tim and Steve Beauchesne sold the brewery to the employees. Taste the benefits in Beau’s Local Organic pale ale (LCBO 19358, 473 mL, $3.95), Canada’s only certified carbon-neutral and organic beer.

CREAM Of The CROP Omid McDonald, Founder and CEO, Dairy Distillery

A sugary liquid called milk permeate was considered a waste product, but Omid McDonald saw its potential. With the University of Ottawa, he perfected a process to distill it into Vodkow (LCBO 11573, $33.05), a clean, crisp vodka with a smooth finish. It’s also the base for Vodkow Cream (LCBO 18224, $29.95), “the only lactose-free cream liqueur in North America,” McDonald proudly declares.

Collaboration celebration

Look for the limited-edition Almonte Friendship Series at the LCBO this holiday season. It features Vodkow cream liqueurs made with local Equator Coffee, Hummingbird Chocolate and Fulton’s Maple Syrup.