ecoSPIRITS and Local Spirits Partner with Scandic Hotels Across Denmark
COPENHAGEN 22 October 2024 Local Spirits, ecoSPIRITS’ licensed operator for Denmark, has signed an agreement with Scandic Hotels Denmark – the Danish division of the largest hotel chain in the Nordics region – to supply its range of ecoTOTE format spirits and liqueurs to the hotel group’s properties across the country. Most of the company’s hotels in Copenhagen have already made the switch to closed loop spirits packaging, with a total of 27 outlets across Denmark expected to transition over the coming months. Scandic Hotels Denmark’s partnership with Local Spirits includes both pouring spirits and liqueurs, which will be featured as Danish-made and organic spirits on drinks menus alongside details of the sustainability-focused partnership with ecoSPIRITS. The new collaboration will help Scandic Hotels Denmark eliminate more than 95% of the packaging waste associated with its most popular spirits pours, while also supporting its ambition to forge new relationships with local and organic producers.
Local Spirits will supply spirits and liqueurs in ecoTOTE format to all Scandic Hotels in Denmark.
In March 2023, the Danish drinks company, Local Spirits, started working with ecoSPIRITS as its licensed operator for Denmark. The company is focused on environmentally-friendly products and practices, and it distributes predominantly local and organic spirits to the on and off-trade sectors. Local Spirits sells and distributes more than 300 products from 25 different Danish producers, as well as a few international craft brands. It has 20 different spirits SKUs available in ecoTOTE format, which it supplies to more than 100 outlets across Denmark.
Scandic Hotels has 27 properties across Denmark and it is focused on supporting local companies and producers.
Scandic Hotels has the largest and widest network of hotels in the Nordic market, supported by 19,000 employees. The company started in 1963 in Sweden and it now has 280 hotels in operation (and under development) in six countries: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany and Poland. Scandic Hotels’ Danish arm comprises 27 outlets, representing a total of more than 5,900 rooms, and of these, many of the Copenhagen-based sites have already started taking delivery of spirits in ecoTOTE format. One of the first to start using the ecoSPIRITS closed loop packaging system was the centrally-located Scandic Spectrum, which has around 600 rooms and the restaurant Ansvar, which is famed for its celebration of ‘green cuisine’. Scandic Hotel Denmark’s venues outside of Copenhagen, such as Scandic Aarhus City and Scandic Kolding, have also started using the ecoSPIRITS system.
Scandic Hotels in cities such as Copenhagen and Aarhus (pictured above) are taking delivery of spirits in ecoTOTE format.
Scandic Hotels is Denmark’s only hotel chain to be certified by the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, one of the world’s toughest environmental certifications. By moving to closed loop packaging, Scandic Hotels Denmark will avoid 60-90% of the carbon emissions and eliminate more than 95% of the packaging waste associated with the packaging and distribution of its most popular spirits pours.
The group is also participating in the ecoSPIRITS Forest Program, a program established by ecoSPIRITS and sustainability pioneer, Green Steps Group. Under the program, one tree will be planted for every ecoTOTE delivered to a Scandic hotel in Denmark, jointly funded by ecoSPIRITS, Local Spirits and the spirits brand partners.
In addition to its commitment to a more sustainable future, Scandic Hotels Denmark has a focus on supporting local suppliers and Danish-made produce. Scandic is now the first major hotel chain in Denmark to use Local Spirits as its main supplier, with the majority of the spirits (up to 15 SKUs in total) packaged in ecoTOTE format, including the hotels’ house pour spirits. This includes the hotels’ house pour gin, which is the small batch Local Spirits Distilled (LSD)’s Organic Gin, made in Denmark using organic botanical ingredients. Also on the list is the Danish double malt whisky, Stauning HØST (“harvest”), which is popular as a base for whisky-based cocktails. House pour liqueurs, such as the uniquely-named Bad Boy Coffee Liqueur from the Danish producer, Bad Company Spirits, will also be delivered in ecoTOTE format, for cocktails such as the espresso martini.
The hotels will take several Danish-made and organic products from Local Spirits, including LSD Organic Gin, Stauning HØST whisky, and Bad Boy Coffee Liqueur.
Karsten Felvang Nielsen, F&B Director, Scandic Hotels
“I am pleased that we are expanding the collaboration with Local Spirits to all of our 27 hotels. Our experience shows that bartenders and guests greatly appreciate the quality of the products and local storytelling – it creates joy, both to prepare and to enjoy tasty and organic cocktails. In addition to this, by taking delivery of spirits in ecoTOTE format we are eliminating the need for several thousand single use glass bottles, which makes this collaboration even more exciting. It is in Scandic’s DNA to take responsibility when it comes to even more sustainable transformation and hotel operations, and I hope that our collaboration with Local Spirits can lead others to make similar choices.”
Jeppe Rasch Christensen, Partner and Chief Commercial Officer, Local Spirits
“The fact that Denmark’s largest hotel chain has selected us as the main supplier of spirits is a huge recognition of our work with local and organic producers, and our use of environmentally-friendly and CO2-saving delivery solutions. We are proud that Scandic is placing its trust in us because this will hopefully pave the way for more people to open their eyes to local and organic premium spirits and to ecoSPIRITS’ circular delivery solution, as reuse is clearly preferable to recycling when it comes to glass packaging,”
Iain McPherson, Sales Director, EMEA, ecoSPIRITS
“Jeppe, Martin, and the Local Spirits team are focused on working with like-minded players in the hospitality sector. By using the ecoSPIRITS system for several local and organic spirits, Scandic Hotels Denmark will soon see a significant reduction in packaging waste and CO2e, alongside the practical benefits of using ecoSPIRITS in its operation. Karsten and the Scandic team’s commitment to an environmentally-friendly operation is real and contagious. The transition to circular requires every partner to contribute to the closed loop, and I’m thankful that Local Spirits, its brand partners, and Scandic, recognise the efficiencies of ecoSPIRITS.”
For more information about Scandic Hotels, please contact Anna Kirstine Mouritzen on [email protected]. For more information about Local Spirits, please contact Jeppe Rasch Christensen on [email protected]. For media inquiries or general information on ecoSPIRITS, you may contact Sonya Hook, Head of Communications [email protected].
About Scandic
Scandic is Denmark’s and the Nordic region’s largest hotel chain. Scandic is also Denmark’s only Swan-labelled hotel chain. The certification means that the hotels meet a number of strict requirements relating to – among other things – water and energy consumption, waste, food waste, chemicals, biodiversity and ecology. The Nordic Ecolabel requires constant improvement and development towards a more sustainable hotel operation – a journey that has been part of Scandic’s DNA since 1993.
For more information, visit: www.scandichotelsgroup.com.
About Local Spirits
Local Spirits is a Danish distributor of local, organic spirits and currently sells over 300 products from 25 different Danish producers. Almost 50% of the range is organic, and most bestsellers are not only sold in bottles but also in CO2 – and price-saving packaging formats that make it possible to use local and organic products on a larger scale. Local Spirits uses a circular delivery solution that replaces traditional glass bottles with reusable units – ecoTOTEs from ecoSPIRITS.
For more information, please visit www.localspirits.dk.
About ecoSPIRITS
ecoSPIRITS is a circular economy technology company that has developed the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine. Our patent-pending closed loop system nearly eliminates all packaging waste in the supply chain. By dramatically reducing packaging and transport, ecoSPIRITS provides a transformative carbon footprint reduction. Founded in Singapore in 2018, the ecoSPIRITS technology is now available in 27 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. Nearly 3,000 leading bars, restaurants, hotels and retailers have adopted the technology. ecoSPIRITS is now rapidly building a global network of closed loop service, with coverage to grow in 2024. Together with our brand partners, importers, distributors, wholesalers, venues, and retailers, we are already making a difference. Each year, ecoSPIRITS and our partners are eliminating hundreds of tons of single use glass waste, planting tens of thousands of trees, and inspiring others to change.
For more information, please visit https://ecospirits.global/.
Diageo’s Ketel One Makes ecoTOTE Debut in The Netherlands with Amanti Cocktails
AMSTERDAM 1 October 2024 Diageo has launched distribution of its Ketel One vodka brand in ecoTOTE format in The Netherlands, as part of its recently announced global agreement with ecoSPIRITS. ecoTOTEs are filled at a new ecoPLANT at the Nolet Distillery in Schiedam where Ketel One is produced, and they are then deployed to premium cocktail company, Amanti Cocktails, for the creation of pre-mixed cocktails. Amanti is distributing the Ketel One cocktails – such as the espresso martini – to more than 100 bars in cities including Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. The activity marks the first time Ketel One vodka has been made available in ecoTOTE format globally.
Ketel One vodka’s ecoTOTE debut will service bars across key cities in The Netherlands.
Ketel One is a family-made vodka brand created in 1983 by the Nolet Family in Schiedam, in the Netherlands. The Nolet Distillery, which was established more than 300 years ago, started by producing the grain-based spirit genever before expanding into other drinks, including vodka. The super premium Ketel One vodka is crafted in a copper pot still in combination with modern distilling techniques. In 2008, the Nolet Group created a 50-50 joint venture company with Diageo to market and distribute Ketel One vodka globally. The Schiedam-based Nolet Distillery is now home to a new ecoPLANT, where ecoTOTEs are filled (and cleaned, sanitised and refilled) with Ketel One vodka.
The family run Nolet Distillery in Schiedam produces Ketel One vodka and is now home to a new ecoPLANT.
Ketel One vodka in ecoTOTE format is sent from the ecoPLANT to the Amsterdam-based company Amanti Cocktails, where it is made into pre-mixed cocktails such as the much-loved espresso martini, for delivery to bars across the country. The empty ecoTOTEs are sent back to the ecoPLANT where they are cleaned, refilled, and sent back to Amanti, up to 150 times, eliminating the need for more than 1,500 glass bottles per month. The ecoTOTE is expected to deliver a carbon emissions reduction after the sixth use, with an anticipated total carbon reduction of 60%.
Amanti Cocktails creates ready-made premium cocktails for bars and hospitality venues across The Netherlands.
Amanti Cocktails was set up by Kas de Bruijne, who spent many years designing cocktail menus for Michelin starred chefs, and Tjeerd Schravendeel, an importer of innovative catering equipment. Together they started Amanti with the aim of developing ready-made premium cocktails “that are indistinguishable from freshly made cocktails”, specifically for the catering and hospitality industry. More than 100 bars in the Netherlands are taking delivery of the pre-mixed Ketel One cocktails, including the three-strong Benji’s, a café concept described as a “peaceful green oasis with an industrial feel”, and the popular restaurant-bar, Badhuis, all based in Amsterdam. Amanti Cocktails is also working with Hilton Double Tree Hotel in Amsterdam, which will start with a new draft cocktail concept in October 2024.
The Amsterdam-based Benji’s, Badhuis and Hilton Double Tree (all pictured above) are examples of bars taking delivery of the pre-mixed cocktails.
This activity in the Netherlands represents one of the first new markets out of an expected 18 for Diageo since it announced a three-year global agreement with ecoSPIRITS in November last year, for the distribution of a range of Diageo spirits brands in ecoSPIRITS’ circular packaging technology. Diageo first started working with ecoSPIRITS through the Diageo Sustainable Solutions programme in 2021. The global roll out of ecoSPIRITS forms part of Diageo’s goal of reducing carbon emissions across the supply chain. As part of this particular project, ecoPLANT No. 049 was commissioned in Schiedam, Netherlands, at the Nolet Distillery. In addition, Diageo and ecoSPIRITS have developed co-branded ecoTOTEs for Ketel One vodka.
Ciara Keenan, Global Head of Ketel One, Diageo
“We are delighted to partner with ecoSPIRITS so Ketel One can now be distributed in an ecoTOTE, helping us to reduce the number of glass bottles used and our carbon footprint. We’re the bartenders favourite vodka, so we’re making it even easier for them to use Ketel One, whilst also delivering a sustainability benefit. As a family made brand, we are passionate about exploring new ways to benefit bartenders, our customers and the community. We look forward to the roll out and hopefully extending the partnership to more markets in future.”
Kas de Bruijne, Co-Founder, Amanti Cocktails
“At Amanti Cocktails we are passionate about sustainability and reducing waste, so this partnership, which features Ketel One delivered in the low waste ecoTOTE format, aligns well with our company ethos. The amount of glass waste will be dramatically reduced and we also strongly believe that it will make the pre-batching process quicker and more efficient overall.”
Jack Davis, Global Customer Success Manager, ecoSPIRITS
“Ketel One vodka is much-loved by bar tenders globally and is a great brand for premium pre-mixed drinks, so we are delighted it has been chosen to debut the ecoSPIRITS packaging technology for Diageo in the Netherlands, in collaboration with Amanti Cocktails. This will immediately reduce single use packaging waste for more than 100 bars, while also making it quicker and easier for venues to serve Ketel One cocktails.”
For media inquiries or general information on ecoSPIRITS, you may contact Sonya Hook, Head of Communications [email protected].
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Singleton, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray, and Guinness. Diageo is a global company whose products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com.
Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
About Amanti Cocktails
Amanti Cocktails was founded by Kas de Bruijne and Tjeerd Schravendeel with the intention of making convenient, quality pre-mixed cocktails for the on-trade. Its range includes an Espresso Martini, a Paloma and an Aperol Spritz.
For more information visit: www.amanticocktails.com
About ecoSPIRITS
ecoSPIRITS is a circular economy technology company that has developed the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine. Our patent-pending closed loop system nearly eliminates all packaging waste in the supply chain. By dramatically reducing packaging and transport, ecoSPIRITS provides a transformative carbon footprint reduction. Founded in Singapore in 2018, the ecoSPIRITS technology is now available in 27 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. Nearly 3,000 leading bars, restaurants, hotels and retailers have adopted the technology. ecoSPIRITS is now rapidly building a global network of closed loop service, with coverage to grow in 2024. Together with our brand partners, importers, distributors, wholesalers, venues, and retailers, we are already making a difference. Each year, ecoSPIRITS and our partners are eliminating hundreds of tons of single use glass waste, planting tens of thousands of trees, and inspiring others to change.
For more information, please visit https://ecospirits.global/.