The Importance of Recycling and Preserving Our Environment

At Amara Beer Lab, we deeply value the environment and the role each of us plays in protecting it. As a craft brewery operating in Cambodia, a country blessed with breathtaking natural beauty and unique ecosystems, we believe it is our responsibility to not only minimize our environmental footprint but also inspire our community to do the same.

The Crisis of Plastic Waste

Plastic is one of the most pervasive materials in our modern world. While it has revolutionized industries, its improper disposal has created a global crisis. When plastic waste is not recycled, it often ends up in ecosystems where it can cause irreversible damage. Here are some alarming facts about plastic:

• Decomposition Time: Plastics can take hundreds, if not thousands, of years to decompose. During this time, they break down into smaller pieces called microplastics, which contaminate soil, water, and even the air.
• Microplastics: These tiny plastic fragments are ingested by wildlife and eventually make their way into the food chain, affecting not only animal health but also human health.
• Burning Plastic: In some areas, plastic is burned as a means of disposal. This releases toxic chemicals, including dioxins, which are harmful to both the environment and human health. Dioxins are persistent pollutants that can accumulate in the food chain, causing long-term ecological and health risks.

Cambodia’s Environmental Challenges

In Cambodia, environmental conservation often takes a backseat to other pressing societal needs. While this is understandable given the country’s unique circumstances, it’s also a critical moment to act. Protecting Cambodia’s stunning landscapes and diverse ecosystems should be a shared goal.

We believe that small, impactful steps can inspire broader change, and we’re committed to doing our part.

Our Commitment: Recycled Plastic Coasters

To underline our commitment to sustainability, we are introducing recycled plastic coasters in our taproom. These coasters will not only serve a practical purpose but also stand as a symbol of what can be achieved when we work together to address plastic waste. Each coaster will tell a story—a story of waste transformed into something meaningful and lasting.

Involving Our Team and Community

This initiative goes beyond simply using recycled materials. We aim to engage our staff, friends, and customers in a hands-on approach to recycling. Here’s how:

• Education on Recycling: We will train our team on how to identify and sort plastics that are easily recyclable versus those requiring industrial processing
• Collecting Plastic Waste: We’ll encourage our staff and friends to bring plastic waste from their homes or collect it responsibly from public spaces. This will foster a deeper understanding of the volume of plastic waste in our surroundings
• Transforming Waste Together: Once we’ve collected enough material, our staff will participate in turning this waste into functional, recycled coasters during work hours. This hands-on process will demonstrate how seemingly useless items can be repurposed into something valuable
• Showcasing the Results: Visitors to our taproom will not only enjoy our craft beers but also see the tangible results of our recycling efforts. Our coasters will serve as a conversation starter, spreading awareness about the importance of recycling and environmental stewardship

A Call to Action

While our focus is on creating delicious craft beer, we also see our taproom as a space for community engagement and education. By choosing recycled plastic coasters and involving our team in the recycling process, we hope to inspire others to take similar actions.

We acknowledge that protecting the environment is a collective effort, and we’re proud to lead by example. Together, we can reduce plastic waste, protect Cambodia’s natural beauty, and create a brighter, more sustainable future.