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Audit-Ready Carbon Reporting for Beverage Companies

Track bottling plant energy, PET and aluminum packaging, sugar and ingredient supply chains, and cold chain refrigeration for beverage operations.

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The Industry Hotspot: Packaging Materials and Agricultural Ingredients

Packaging and ingredients dominate

Non-alcoholic beverage carbon footprints concentrate in packaging and agricultural inputs. PET plastic bottles require energy-intensive polymer production from petroleum feedstocks. Aluminum cans have high embodied energy in virgin production but excellent recycling economics. Glass bottles combine heavy weight with high melting temperatures. Lightweight packaging design and recycled content reduce material footprint. Sugar and fruit ingredients generate upstream agricultural emissions from farming operations. Coffee and tea cultivation varies in emission intensity by production system and origin region. Bottling plant operations consume electricity and thermal energy for mixing, pasteurization, and carbonation. Cold chain distribution for chilled beverages adds refrigeration energy and refrigerant leakage. NetNada tracks packaging material weights and recycled content, calculates agricultural ingredient footprints, monitors bottling plant energy intensity, and reports cold chain emissions.

SASB Industry Definition

The Non-Alcoholic Beverages industry produces soft drinks, juices, bottled water, energy drinks, sports drinks, ready-to-drink coffee and tea, and beverage concentrates. Operations include ingredient sourcing (sugar, fruit, coffee, tea), beverage formulation and mixing, bottling or canning, packaging, and distribution through retail and food service channels. Most emissions concentrate in packaging materials (PET plastic, aluminum cans, glass bottles) and agricultural ingredients. Bottling plants consume energy for mixing, carbonation, pasteurization, and cleaning.

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Industry-Specific Carbon Accounting

No generic solutions. Metrics, data sources, and reporting aligned to Non-Alcoholic Beverages operations.

PET Plastic Bottle Carbon Footprint

PET plastic bottles dominate beverage packaging requiring polymerization of petroleum-derived monomers. Virgin PET production is energy-intensive with substantial carbon footprint. Recycled PET requires significantly less energy than virgin material creating circular economy opportunities. Bottle weight per liter varies by design with lightweight bottles reducing material consumption. Track packaging specifications by product and format. Calculate PET emissions accounting for recycled content percentage. Report packaging reduction initiatives and recycled content targets.

PET emissions per liter

Aluminum Can Lifecycle Emissions

Aluminum can production from virgin metal requires very high energy for bauxite mining and aluminum smelting. However, aluminum recycling is highly efficient requiring fraction of virgin production energy. High recycling rates in many markets improve lifecycle footprint. Can lightweighting reduces material per unit. Track aluminum packaging specifications and recycled content by region. Calculate can footprint accounting for regional recycling rates and recycled content. Report progress toward recycled content targets.

Aluminum emissions per can

Sugar Supply Chain Emissions

Sugar from sugarcane or sugar beet generates upstream agricultural emissions. Cane sugar farming uses fertilizers, irrigation, and harvest operations. Processing requires crushing, evaporation, and crystallization consuming energy. Sugar beet has different production system with temperate-climate cultivation. High-fructose corn syrup alternative has corn farming and processing emissions. Track sugar sourcing by type and origin region. Collect supplier data on farming practices and processing energy. Calculate sugar footprint per kilogram supplied.

Sugar supply chain tracked

Coffee and Tea Ingredient Footprints

Coffee and tea for ready-to-drink beverages come from tropical and subtropical cultivation systems. Emission intensity varies by farming practices, processing method, and origin. Shade-grown coffee with organic practices differs from sun-grown plantation systems. Processing method affects energy consumption and quality. Track coffee and tea sourcing by origin and certification status. Engage suppliers on farming emissions and sustainable practices. Calculate ingredient carbon footprint per kilogram.

Coffee/tea emissions per kg

Bottling Plant Energy Intensity

Beverage production facilities consume electricity for mixing, carbonation equipment, conveyors, and refrigeration. Thermal energy supports pasteurization and cleaning-in-place systems. Energy intensity varies by product type and production volume. Track utility consumption per liter produced by facility and product line. Benchmark across manufacturing network identifying high consumers. Implement efficiency measures and renewable energy procurement.

Bottling energy per liter

SASB FB-NB Metrics Automation

Auto-generate disclosure including gross Scope 1 and 2 emissions, water consumption in water-stressed regions, packaging material types and recycled content percentages, percentage of ingredients from certified sustainable sources, and product portfolio nutritional profile. Footnotes cite production volumes by beverage category and regional operations.

SASB FB-NB compliant

Product Features for Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Use Carbon Data Uploader to import bottling plant utility data, packaging specifications, ingredient sourcing records, and production volumes for automated beverage emissions. Learn more →

The Activity Calculator applies emission factors for PET, aluminum, agricultural ingredients, and manufacturing energy—calculating comprehensive beverage product carbon footprints. Learn more →

Related Solutions

See our Carbon Accounting solution for end-to-end beverage emissions tracking from ingredient supply chains through bottling and distribution.

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Non-Alcoholic Beverages Case Studies

How entities in this industry use NetNada to solve carbon accounting challenges.

Soft Drink Manufacturer (Portfolio of carbonated beverages, Concentrate production and bottling operations)

Challenge

Corporate climate target required product carbon footprint disclosure for all major brands. Packaging represented majority of footprint but data fragmented across PET, aluminum, and glass suppliers. Retailers demanded product-level carbon labels for shelf placement decisions.

Solution

Deployed product carbon accounting system aggregating packaging supplier data on material weights and recycled content. Calculated packaging footprint by format and size. Tracked bottling plant energy per liter. Assessed sugar supply chain emissions through supplier engagement. Generated product-specific carbon footprints by SKU.

Result

Published product carbon footprints for major brands enabling retailer carbon label programs. Identified PET recycled content and aluminum can lightweighting as highest-impact reduction levers. Increased recycled PET content targets for bottle portfolio. Launched carbon-labeled product line marketed to sustainability-conscious consumers. Emissions per liter declined through packaging optimization while maintaining quality and shelf life.

Bottled Water Company (Spring and purified water products, Regional distribution focus)

Challenge

Consumer perception questioned water transportation emissions and packaging waste. Needed transparent lifecycle assessment differentiating local-source versus long-distance products. Packaging innovation required to address plastic pollution concerns while maintaining product protection.

Solution

Implemented comprehensive lifecycle carbon accounting including source water, treatment, PET bottle production, local bottling, and distribution by region. Calculated emissions per liter for local versus imported products. Evaluated packaging alternatives including recycled PET, lightweight designs, and aluminum. Assessed regional renewable energy options for bottling plants.

Result

Demonstrated that locally-sourced and bottled products had substantially lower footprint than long-distance transported water. Marketed regional products emphasizing local sourcing and low transport emissions. Transitioned bottle portfolio to high-recycled-content PET. Installed solar power at key bottling facilities further reducing product footprint. Published transparent lifecycle assessment showing packaging and local sourcing as primary sustainability factors.

SASB Disclosure Topics for Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Material sustainability topics beyond emissions that investors and stakeholders expect disclosed per SASB standards.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

environment

Track Scope 1 from bottling plant fuel and refrigerant leakage. Report Scope 2 from manufacturing electricity. Calculate Scope 3 from packaging materials (PET, aluminum, labels, caps), agricultural ingredients, and distribution. Report emissions per liter produced.

Packaging and Circularity

environment

Monitor packaging material mix and weights. Report recycled content percentages and recyclability rates. Disclose reusable packaging systems and packaging recovery programs.

Water Management

environment

Track water consumption for beverage production, cleaning, and cooling. Report water-to-product ratios and wastewater discharge quality. Disclose bottling operations in water-stressed regions and water stewardship programs.

Sustainable Ingredient Sourcing

social

Report percentage of sugar, coffee, tea, and fruit from certified sustainable sources. Disclose supplier engagement on agricultural practices and farmer livelihood programs.

Product Nutritional Profile

social

Disclose sugar content per serving and percentage of portfolio meeting nutritional guidelines. Report reformulation efforts and low-sugar product development.

Energy Management

environment

Monitor bottling plant energy intensity trends. Report percentage of renewable energy in manufacturing operations. Disclose efficiency improvements in production processes.

NetNada tracks all SASB material topics, not just emissions. Our platform supports disclosure across environmental, social, governance, and business model topics relevant to your industry.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages FAQs

Common questions about carbon accounting for this industry

How do PET bottles and aluminum cans compare for beverage packaging carbon footprint?
PET and aluminum have different lifecycle profiles depending on recycled content and end-of-life recovery. Virgin PET production requires moderate energy from petroleum feedstocks. Recycled PET substantially reduces energy and avoids virgin material extraction. Virgin aluminum production is very energy-intensive requiring bauxite mining and smelting. However, aluminum recycling is highly efficient requiring small fraction of virgin production energy. With high recycled content and collection rates, aluminum cans can have comparable or lower footprint than PET bottles. Actual comparison depends on: Recycled content percentages in manufacturing. Regional recycling rates affecting circularity. Transportation distance affected by weight difference (aluminum heavier per liter). Product protection requirements and shelf life. Report packaging carbon footprint accounting for regional recycling infrastructure.
Should beverage companies report Scope 3 emissions from packaging materials?
Yes, packaging is Scope 3 Category 1 (Purchased Goods) and typically represents largest portion of beverage product carbon footprint especially for products with minimal agricultural ingredients like bottled water or carbonated soft drinks. Packaging emissions include: Raw material extraction and production (PET polymerization, aluminum smelting, glass melting). Label and cap manufacturing. Transportation to bottling facilities. Companies influence packaging footprint through: Material selection and recycled content. Lightweight design reducing material per unit. Packaging recovery and recycling programs. Reusable systems where feasible. Calculate using supplier data on material composition, weights, and recycled content percentages. Report packaging emissions per liter and reduction progress over time.
Why is water consumption a material issue for beverage companies?
Water is both product ingredient and manufacturing input making water management critical for several reasons: Product quality: Beverage taste and safety depend on water quality requiring treatment and testing. Manufacturing operations: Cleaning equipment and cooling processes use water multiples of beverage volume. Water-to-product ratio common metric. Local water stress: Bottling in water-scarce regions creates community resource competition. Facility location decisions consider long-term water availability. Watershed impacts: Water withdrawal affects local ecosystems and other users. Report water consumption by facility and water-stressed region designation. Implement water efficiency and watershed stewardship programs. Consider facility investment and expansion in context of local water availability and community needs.
How do ready-to-drink coffee and tea products compare to home-brewed beverages?
Ready-to-drink versus home-brewed coffee and tea have different lifecycle profiles with trade-offs: Ready-to-drink includes: Single-serve packaging emissions (bottle or can per serving). Manufacturing plant energy for brewing and bottling. Distribution and refrigeration energy. Convenience and shelf stability benefits. Home-brewed includes: Coffee/tea production and processing. Home brewing energy (kettle, coffee maker). Minimal packaging for bulk product. User preparation behavior variability. Per-serving comparison depends on: Home brewing efficiency (water and energy use per cup). Packaging type for ready-to-drink. Distribution distance for ready-to-drink. Coffee/tea cultivation practices for both. Lifecycle studies show results vary by assumptions. Report product carbon footprint transparently including packaging and manufacturing contributions for ready-to-drink products.
Can beverage companies reduce emissions through ingredient sourcing changes?
Yes, ingredient sourcing decisions affect upstream agricultural emissions especially for products with significant natural ingredient content. Strategies include: Sugar sourcing: Engaging cane sugar suppliers on farming practices and processing efficiency. Evaluating alternative sweeteners with different carbon profiles. Coffee and tea: Preferential sourcing from certified sustainable farms using organic practices and shade-grown systems. Direct relationships with farmer cooperatives. Fruit and juice: Working with fruit suppliers on orchard management and processing energy. Sourcing from regions with lower-emission agricultural practices. Concentrates and extracts: Evaluating supplier manufacturing processes and renewable energy use. Document supplier engagement programs and report percentage of key ingredients from sustainable or low-carbon sources. Track ingredient carbon intensity trends over time through improved supplier data collection.

Track Bottling, Packaging, and Ingredient Supply Chain Emissions

See how beverage companies calculate packaging footprints, monitor manufacturing energy, and generate SASB-aligned disclosures—automated from operations and supplier data.

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