Sustainable, B Corp & Organic
Our mission
Setting the world standard for sustainable whisky
Bus Whisky & B Corp
BUS Whisky has a mission: to set the world standard for sustainable whisky. Bus Whisky is committed to sustainability, transparency and social impact. We're the very first B Corp whisky producer in the Netherlands and the tenth in the world. We work on fair production, circular processes and social engagement. Follow our journey and discover how we do business with impact. We keep monitoring, evaluating and refining our practices to minimise our impact on the environment. In our sustainability report, we share our most recent efforts and goals.
Grain to glass
An estimated 70% of whisky labels don't distil their own whisky. They bottle casks they've bought in from other producers. Of the producers that do distil themselves, the vast majority aren't a 'single estate' whisky distillery. Bus Whisky is a single estate distillery. That means the brewing barley is also grown by the whisky distillery itself. So we have virtually the entire chain in our own hands. And that means we can decide entirely for ourselves how sustainably we shape that chain.
Sustainable Single Estate
Worldwide, there are only 50 to 100 single-estate whisky producers who fully control the entire production process from "grain-to-glass". This amounts to roughly 1% of all whisky labels. And within this group, Bus Whisky stands out even further as a sustainable frontrunner and pioneer.
At BUS we operate energy-neutral and sustainably, without artificial fertiliser and pesticides, and with a lot of attention for regenerative agriculture, soil and biodiversity. From 2025 onwards, we'll even grow entirely organically, on SKAL-certified fields. A sustainable top position that has also been rewarded multiple times worldwide with prestigious awards.
Our efforts were rewarded with a gold sustainability medal at the Global Green Awards in Hong Kong (2021) and a prestigious sustainability award in London at The Spirits Business Awards (2024).
Drink responsibly
At Bus Whisky Distillers, we're committed to producing high-quality whisky while also promoting responsible alcohol consumption. As a company dedicated to sustainability and ethical business practices, we recognise the importance of enjoying our products safely and responsibly. We believe whisky should be enjoyed with awareness and respect, with attention to both personal wellbeing and community safety.
Our ambition
Reducing our footprint
At Bus Whisky, we recognise that whisky production is an energy-intensive process that contributes to CO₂ emissions and climate change. As a responsible company, we're committed to minimising our environmental impact through sustainable practices, energy efficiency improvements and CO₂ reduction strategies.
Our Impact
Distilling whisky requires significant energy consumption, particularly for heating, fermentation and production.
Our CO₂ emissions come from agriculture, packaging and transport. We recognise our industry's role in climate change and are committed to implementing measurable improvements.
We're open to feedback and collaboration with local communities, nature conservation organisations and sustainability experts to further strengthen our biodiversity initiatives.
? For questions or suggestions, get in touch with us at: sustainability@buswhisky.com
Our approach
Transparency & continuous improvement
✅ Energy-neutral Operations – Our distillery runs on solar panels, biomass and heat recovery systems, entirely without fossil fuels.
✅ Sustainable Agriculture – We grow our own barley using organic and regenerative farming methods, without the use of chemicals or artificial fertiliser, and with minimal CO2 emissions.
✅ Closed Water System – We recycle and reuse water used in the distillation process, minimising waste.
✅ CO₂ Compensation – We take part in research programmes to convert CO2 into algae (spirulina), and we invest in a project to capture the CO2 emitted during fermentation so we can use it to carbonate our beers.
✅ Eco-friendly Packaging – Our bottles are made from 100% recycled glass and we've fully eliminated plastic packaging.
✅ Circular Economy Initiatives – We reuse spent grain (a by-product of brewing) for bread, cake, granola, pizza dough and 'worstenbroodjes'. It's also used as fish and livestock feed, compost and sustainable building materials (spent-grain concrete).
Our impact
Biodiversity
At Bus Whisky, we recognise that our agricultural and production activities affect local ecosystems. As a distillery committed to sustainable and responsible business practices, we take proactive measures to minimise any negative effects on biodiversity.
Our activities, including barley cultivation, land use and water management, can affect local flora and fauna. As part of our commitment to transparency and sustainability, we recognise that:
- Our grain cultivation and land use can affect soil quality, native plant species and pollinators.
- Our water use and waste management require careful control to prevent disruption to local ecosystems.
- Our on-site activities, such as tourism and hospitality, interact directly with the surrounding nature.
Our ambition
Further increasing biodiversity
✅ Regenerative & Organic Farming – We reject artificial fertiliser and pesticides in favour of natural soil enrichment techniques.
✅ Flower-rich Field Margins – We actively plant wildflowers around our fields to support pollinators and increase biodiversity.
✅ Water Conservation & Recycling – Our closed water system helps reduce water consumption and prevents pollution of local water sources.
✅ Circular Economy Initiatives – We reuse agricultural by-products, such as spent grain, for food, compost and eco-friendly materials.
✅ Reforestation & Habitat Protection – We take part in local tree-planting initiatives such as agricultural nature management and 'erven plus' schemes to diversify land use and support wildlife habitats.
Our impact
Water use
At Bus Whisky, we recognise that whisky production is a water-intensive process, requiring large amounts of water for malting, fermenting, distilling and cooling. As part of our sustainability strategy, we actively manage our water consumption to minimise waste, reduce use and protect local water sources.
Our Impact
- Water consumption in production – Distilling whisky requires a large amount of water for processing, cleaning and cooling.
- Local water sources – Our activities affect the local water supply, making responsible water management a key priority.
- Risk of water stress – If not properly managed, large-scale water use can contribute to water shortages in the surrounding area.
? For questions or suggestions about water conservation, get in touch with us at: sustainability@buswhisky.com
Our ambition
Reducing our water footprint
✅ Closed Water System – We recycle and reuse process water at our distillery and on our own estate to minimise water waste and reduce overall consumption.
✅ Efficient Cooling & Condensate Reuse – We capture cooling water and reuse it in our production process or for other purposes.
✅ Protection of Local Waterways – Wastewater from our processes is treated and managed responsibly to prevent pollution of local ecosystems.
✅ Water-saving Cleaning Systems – We use low-water, high-efficiency cleaning methods for equipment and casks to prevent unnecessary water loss.
Todo:
✅ Rainwater Harvesting – We're going to implement a rainwater harvesting system to reduce the use of mains water wherever possible.
✅ Monitoring & Reduction Strategies – We're going to track and optimise our water consumption even more intensively to meet our sustainability goals.
Our impact
Chemical substances
At Bus Whisky, we recognise that whisky production involves the use of cleaning agents, fermentation by-products and distillation residues. If not properly managed, these substances can negatively impact air, soil and water quality. As part of our sustainability strategy, we take proactive measures to minimise chemical risks and ensure all substances in our production process are used, processed and disposed of safely.
Our Impact
- Use of Cleaning Agents – The distillation process requires cleaning and disinfecting equipment, which involves the use of chemical cleaning solutions.
- Fermentation By-products – Yeast and organic compounds can generate waste residues that need to be carefully managed.
- Potential Air and Water Pollution – Improper disposal of chemical substances and by-products can pollute local ecosystems and affect biodiversity.
Our ambition
Minimising chemical risks
✅ Eco-friendly Cleaning Methods – Where possible, we use biodegradable and non-toxic cleaning agents to reduce chemical discharge.
✅ Closed Waste Management System – All chemical and organic waste from our production is treated and disposed of responsibly to prevent pollution.
✅ Water Treatment & Filtration – We implement advanced filtration and water treatment systems to remove harmful residues before discharge.
✅ Air Quality Control – Our production facilities are equipped with emission control systems to minimise the release of vapours into the air.
✅ Sustainable Ingredient Sourcing – We prioritise organic farming practices and reject synthetic pesticides and artificial fertiliser when growing our barley.
✅ Regulation & Safe Use – We follow strict industry regulations regarding the storage, processing and disposal of chemicals to protect both employees and the environment.
But how do you actually make sustainable whisky?
Here are some of our practical steps:
1. Sustainable Cultivation: Our whisky starts with brewing barley, which we grow ourselves on small fields near the hamlet of Bus. We strive for regenerative agriculture, avoiding artificial fertiliser and chemicals, and experiment with clover cultivation to enrich the soil and promote biodiversity.
2. An Eye for Heritage & Culture: We cherish local traditions and work together with a threshing club of antique agricultural machinery enthusiasts. They help with the harvest and sow the flower-rich field margins around our barley fields with antique tractors.
3. Green Fuel: Our tractor runs on blue diesel, made from renewable plant oils and waste oils, including used cooking oil. We're also experimenting with oil-bearing seeds in our crop rotation, such as sunflowers and rapeseed, which we can partly use as biofuel.
4. Energy-neutral: We use green electricity from our own solar panels, we have heat pumps and a 'biomeiler', a compost heap from which we extract energy. Even the heat from our still is efficiently reused for brewing water and other purposes throughout the building.
5. No Waste: We reuse methanol for various applications, such as coolant and firelighter fluid. Even our residual streams are converted into valuable products, such as spent-grain concrete, board material and straw for energy-efficient construction.
6. Electric Driving: All our company cars are electric and charged with solar power. We also offer electric 4x4 jeeps for eco-trails through the beautiful surrounding area.
7. Innovation: We keep striving for improvements, such as capturing CO2 for an algae reactor to grow spirulina, drying organic material, and creating alcohol-free beer from residual streams.
8. Collaboration: We actively involve our partners and suppliers in our sustainability ambitions to make the entire chain more sustainable.
Help out and hop on the bus!
At BUS Whisky, we want to set the world standard for sustainable whisky production. Our manifesto describes our DNA, mission and vision. In our sustainability report, we share our most recent efforts and goals.
Do you have suggestions for improvements, want to think along with us, do an internship or are you looking for a sustainable graduation project?
? For questions or suggestions, get in touch with us at: sustainability@buswhisky.com Don't hesitate to reach out and join us on the bold journey to the most sustainable whisky in the world!
Invest in shares or your own cask
Don't miss the BUS!
At Bus Whisky, you can become part of our story in two unique ways. Invest in share certificates and grow along with the future of our distillery. Or choose your own whisky cask, in which your whisky matures for years into a personal masterpiece.
Become a co-owner. Become a whisky maker. Or simply both ?