Flat Rock Brew Cafe - Sustainabilty

Glass Recycling

Thanks to our wide range of bottled beer from around the world, Flat Rock generates a large amount of glass waste. In 2013, we installed a bottle crusher from Bottle cycler that ensures all glass from used bottles is 100% recycled.
Paper/Cardboard Recycling

There is a huge amount of cardboard packaging with bottled beer, cider and wine and 100% of this is separated and recycled through Doyle Bros.
General Waste

Whilst we have reduced our general waste by approximately 75%, everything that we place into our General Waste bin is processed through Doyle Bros Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and turned into what is known as Processed Engineered Fuel (PEF). This is used as an alternative source to fossil fuels and used as a renewable energy source. Doyle Bros have managed to divert 97% of all material collected away from landfill.
Cooking Oil

In order to keep our cooking oil fresh, we regularly change the oil in our deep fryer, and rather than this be wasted, it is collected by Oilright. Used cooking oil can be refined into different types of biofuels used for power generation and heating.
Organic Waste

Brewing is a natural process that results in a fair amount of organic by-product in the form of spent grain. Whilst we have given some to bakers to provide extra fibre in their breads,and tried feeding to our chickens, this does not get rid of all of it. Its worth some livestock farmers to come and collect the spent grain from larger craft brewers, but we are just to small. So we compost it along with green kitchen waste.
Better Business Partnership

The Better Business Partnership through Willough by City Council has been a fantastic support in helping us reach our sustainability goals. They provide us with regular support and advise and complete a periodic review of our progress. In 2017, we were a finalist in the Better Business Partnership Awards, alongside many inspiring local businesses who are doing an amazing jobwith their own sustainability initiatives.
Sustainable Growler

Our growler / squealer filling is sustainable too! By purchasing one of our reusable one or two litre containers, and refilling with one of our beers when needed, you are helping minimise packaging. Our stall at the North Sydney Comminuity Centre's Northside Produce Market, allows our customers to exchange their empty squealer for a full one of whatever beer we have available at the time. This is a great way to drink good locally made beer whilst keeping waste to a minimum. We attend the Northside Produce Market every third weekend of the month, and we also look for interesting ingredients to brew ac ollaborative beer from time to time!