EcoGrowler Thoughts

[RiversideBrewery]

I stumbled upon the EcoGrowler the other day and wondered if anybody had any opinions about it.

It's a new form of growler that's more eco-friendly than tradition glass growlers. Not sure how it will stand up against the glass ones though.

Check it out here: http://ecogrowler.com/

 

[Hello]

That's super cool. I think I may order one. I do wish they had the 32 oz though.

 

[flars]

Do you need to buy a new oxygen scavenging cap for every refill? How do you clean it or is it single use? Fills the same way as any other growler, bottom to top, except Eco recommends a special tap.
I think I'll just keep recycling a plastic whiskey bottle.

 

[Cyclman]

I love my SS double walled growlers, they'll last forever, keep the beer cold, and are easy to clean / maintain.

If I am going to take more than one day to drink a growler, I top off with Argon gas or Co2. Works great.

With the Eco Growler, does the beer stay carbonated when it's less than 100% filled? A traditional growler doesn't either, I realize.

I would think the Co2 would come out of solution.

 

[JAG107]

Cut that price in half, at least, then I'd be interested. $6.50 + S&H for a 64oz bag?

 

[Stealthcruiser]

What's so "eco-friendly", about a metalized plastic, (Mylar) bag, that doesn't recycle as easy as glass, or #1 and 2 plastics, or a metal growler?

I read "100% recycleable", but they don't add how or to what recycle stream they join, other than the mention of "building materials", which I guess they mean the plastic outdoor decking products, which are made from the grocery store plastic bags.

The cap is neat,seal wise, and the "squeezability" to reduce / eliminate headspace is a neat concept.

Reminds me of a heavy duty Doritos bag, with a screw cap.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

I e-mailed them, about their "100% recyclable " claim.

His reply, (says he's the CEO).

"Chuck, thanks for your interest in EcoGrowler and your recycling inquiry!
I wish I could easily reference a certain # like everyones is used to, but we simply can't due to the multiple layers we utilize.
We've been assured that our product is completely recyclable and can be discarded in your recycle bins.
Beyond that, we are happy to let people know that there are many organizations willing to receive our retired products and actually repurpose them as opposed to recycle, which is way better on the environment.
Hope this helps!"

So I tell him, gimme' some examples of this repurposing, and who might be doing it.
I also explained where I heard about his product, ( here), and 'splained to him how many homebrewers visit this forum, and that might be interested in his product, and that if they claim such claims, they should be able to substantiate such claims.
I also told him that a bunch of homebrewers would hold his "feet to the fire" if his product was not what it was claimed to be.

Made him aware of the concerns about it , (price, cap, cleaning, etc...), and told him he had a potential big market with this crowd.

Also told him I was sharing his response here.


Let's see what comes through next!

 

[Hamaki]

...and what do they mean by organoleptic? I googled it but remain hazy on that one. Smaller footprint & cheaper shipping than glass, less aluminum than an aluminum can, no surprises but I wonder how water or energy consumption for manufacture compared to glass or aluminum. Does product manufacture generate a problem waste stream? etc. If they didn't make the "Eco" claim I wouldn't wonder so much.

 

[barnaclebob]

I don't think I'd buy one. They primarily focus on eliminating oxygen and light but this isn't the primary concern with growers.

 

[Beernik]

I thought EcoGrowlers were called bota bags.

Beer from a bag. About as appealing as wine from a box.

 

[HumulusHead]

Mmmmm franzia


Sent from myPhone

 

[Beernik]

What's so "eco-friendly", about a metalized plastic, (Mylar) bag, that doesn't recycle as easy as glass, or #1 and 2 plastics, or a metal growler?

I read "100% recycleable", but they don't add how or to what recycle stream they join, other than the mention of "building materials", which I guess they mean the plastic outdoor decking products, which are made from the grocery store plastic bags.

I did look up Mylar and recycling because you made me curious. It's a plastic and can be recycled with other plastics. However, not all recyclers will take it.

 

[Hamaki]

I did look up Mylar and recycling because you made me curious. It's a plastic and can be recycled with other plastics. However, not all recyclers will take it.

Their product description is not purely mylar. Lamination with other materials can make waste stream segregation & recycling infeasible, which goes back to my concern over claims of being green or eco friendly without convincing support.

 

[RiversideBrewery]

New wine in a box comes with special bags that collapse as the wine is poured to protect the wine from exposure to the air.

Would this growler do a similar thing? (Maybe with the cap) It would be an advantage over traditional growlers if you could open and pour some beer out, but still have the rest of the beer fresh....it would greatly speed up the bottle process!

 

[The_Bishop]

I would think that carbonation would disappear in short order, as you need pressure to maintain dissolved CO2. Who wants a hard-to-clean bag full of flat beer?

 

[NickTheGreat]

I am always looking for better ways to take homebrew to tailgates. You aren't "supposed to" use glass.

Maybe this.

 

[DanMyers]

Not sure about all the recycling claims, etc. But it would be great for backpacking. I'm always looking for a way to bring my homebrew on a hike without the heavy glass or metal of traditional growlers. I might pick one up if they ship to Canada for a reasonable price. (edit.....19.99 for shipping, damn)

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Info y'all:
I got an e-mail back from them quickly last evening, in which he listed a bunch of links where the item was basically being "repurposed", but it's on another computer, ( my work e-mail), and I told him I would share it with the masses.
Now, to see if I can access HBT from my work computer, to make the sharing of it easier!


Edit: Here's a copy and paste of the e-mail, and I hope the links are still "hot".



, thanks for our thoughtful response. Here's a host of links that express the recyclability of our type of product, the goods they are being repurposed into, and the organizations (like schools!) who are benefiting. Hope this helps!



http://blog.standuppouches.net/blog/stand-up-pouch-blog/stand-up-bags-help-the-environment

Schools have created very cool fundraising programs and they are paying for new uniforms, books, sports equipment and more from recycling these pouches.



Recycle and Upcycle for drink pouches:
http://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/drink-pouch-brigade-r.html

http://www.greenerpackage.com/recycling/200_million_drink_pouches_recycled_us_communities

500,000 juice pouches recycled from this company alone last year:
http://www.gogosqueez.com/




I left his name off the bottom, however, I told him last evening how to find the thread on HBT, should he so inclined.

 

[gavmasterj]

Mine bursted a hole on the second use. I work at a brewery and while filling it, it was really hard to get the full amount of beer because the material isn't flexible enough to expand to it's full shape by itself. Don't get one.