Why Kegs are the greener way to pour: Sustainability Behind the Bar

When we talk about making hospitality more sustainable, we often focus on reducing food waste, cutting out plastics, or sourcing local ingredients. But there’s one powerful change that often gets overlooked — and it’s sitting right behind the bar.

Switching from bottles to kegs might just be one of the smartest, most effective sustainability decisions a bar, pub, or event venue can make.

Let’s break down why kegged (or draft) beer is better for the planet, your business, and your customers.

Kegs Help Cut Massive Waste

A single stainless steel keg can replace over 150 single-use bottles or cans, and it can be refilled and reused for decades. According to the Steel Keg Association, reusable kegs eliminate up to 6 billion single-use beer containers from the global waste stream every year. That’s a huge win for landfills, streets, and oceans.

And unlike bottles or cans, kegs aren’t just recyclable — they’re part of a true circular economy. After years of service, a steel keg can be fully recycled and turned into new ones with minimal material loss.

A study from the University of Leeds found that kegged beer can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to bottled beer.(JRC Science for Policy Report, 2018)

Lower Emissions, Fewer Deliveries

When you switch to kegs, you’re not just cutting packaging — you’re cutting emissions, too.

Glass bottles and aluminium cans are heavy and take up a lot of space. They require more frequent deliveries and consume more fuel per litre transported. In contrast, a single 50-litre keg holds the same volume as around 150 bottles, meaning fewer deliveries, fewer emissions, and fewer breakages.

Life-cycle analysis shows beer packaged in 20L steel kegs emits 205 g of CO₂ per litre, while 330ml bottles emit nearly 1,500 g per litre — that’s 7 times more.(University of Leeds, 2018)

Longer Life, Less Waste

Unlike single-use packaging, kegs are built to last.

Most stainless steel kegs can be used for 30+ years with proper cleaning and maintenance. That’s a long lifecycle that keeps waste out of landfills and reduces the need to constantly produce more packaging.

Kegs also help reduce product waste. Beer stays fresher for longer, thanks to pressurised storage, and you can serve consistent portions — meaning fewer spoiled pints and happier customers.

It’s Better for Business

Sustainability doesn’t have to cost you — in fact, kegs can improve your bottom line.

• They reduce your spend on single-use packaging

• You save on storage and waste collection

• They create a faster, smoother service at the bar

• Draft beer often comes with higher profit margins

And more importantly, your customers notice.

According to the Steel Keg Association, over 65% of UK consumers say they’re more likely to support a bar or venue that takes visible action on sustainability. Having keg systems in place shows your venue is serious about the environment — without you having to say a word.

Start Small, Serve Smart

Switching to kegged beer isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. You don’t have to change everything overnight. But one change, like removing bottled beer from your core menu and offering draft options, can make a huge difference.

At Everdurance, we believe sustainability should feel natural, not forced. That’s why we help pubs, bars, and events make small, smart shifts without compromising on service, taste, or experience.

Because running a greener bar doesn’t mean doing less. It means doing better.