September 23, 2009 - Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. Receives Recognition for Recycling Achievements

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2009

Contact: Kristen LeKander
Kristen@Lindberggrp.com
(703) 778 - 7644

Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. Receives Recognition for Recycling Achievements
GPI provides “Friends of Glass” Recognition for Glass Container Recycling Initiatives

Alexandria, September 23, 2009 - The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is proud to recognize Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. as a “Friend of Glass” for its achievements in making significant and innovative efforts to promote or participate in glass container recycling for bottle-to-bottle use and commitment to using glass. Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. is among the seven “Friends of Glass” recognized by GPI during Recycle Glass Week, September 21 - 27, 2009.

“As the lone remaining family-owned, independent major spirits supplier, Heaven Hill Distilleries takes our role as an industry leader to heart, including sustainability and stewardship policies that are designed to minimize our environmental impact,” stated Larry Kass, Heaven Hill’s Director of Corporate Communications. “Recognition from the Glass Packaging Institute as a ‘Friend of Glass’ is a significant accomplishment and palpable demonstration of our commitment in action.”

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heaven-hill.com) is the nation's largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world's second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill's diversified portfolio of brands includes The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Hpnotiq Liqueur; Whaler's Rum; Burnett's Gin and Vodkas; Dubonnet Aperitif; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Água Luca Brazilian Rum Cachaça, Lunazul Tequila and La Certeza Tequila.

Heaven Hill’s Corporate Sustainability Policy concentrates on three areas, energy management, waste management and water management. The company’s waste management policies are themselves underpinned by three initiatives—use of recyclable, bio-degradable “clean” materials wherever possible; minimizing the generation of waste materials; and sustainable management of the waste materials that are produced.

“We believe that partnerships with ‘Friends of Glass’ like Heaven Hill Distilleries are imperative to facilitating better collection and recycling processes for glass bottle-to-bottle recycling to help save energy and our environment,” said Joseph Cattaneo, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. “The glass container industry thanks our 2009 ‘Friends of Glass’ for their work on behalf of glass container recycling and encourages other communities and organizations to follow their lead.”

This year, GPI recognizes “Friends of Glass” in five categories: Earth911.com (website); the Hyatt Regency Atlanta (hospitality industry); the City of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Natural Resource Department (community); Representative Jay Inslee (legislator); and “Best Friends of Glass,” including Sierra Nevada Brewing Company; McIlhenny Company, makers of TABASCO® Brand Products; and Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.

Recycle Glass Week is an awareness event aimed to educate consumers about the environmental benefits of and to encourage participation in glass container recycling to help save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate the industry’s nationwide goal of using 50 percent recycled content in the manufacture of new glass bottles and jars by 2013. Doubling the U.S. glass container recycling rate (28 percent in 2007) would allow manufacturers to use 50 percent recycled glass to make new glass containers, saving enough energy to power 21,978 homes for one year and removing 181,550 tons of waste from landfills every month.

During Recycle Glass Week, GPI and its member companies are also holding nationwide glass recycling-related activities; providing consumers with information and opportunities to hold their own recycling events; and announcing the winners of its 2009 Clear Choice Awards.

Today, glass is the proven form of packaging for those who are looking for sustainability, purity, and recyclability. Glass is made from all-natural, sustainable raw materials and it can be recycled again and again without loss of quality or purity. Reuse of post-consumer recycled glass containers minimizes consumption of raw materials, lessens the industry’s demand for energy, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information on upcoming Recycle Glass Week activities and events, please go to www.gpi.org. For more information about Heaven Hill Distilleries, please visit www.heavenhill.com.

The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is the trade association representing the North American glass container industry. Through GPI, glass container manufacturers speak with one voice to advocate industry standards, promote sound environmental policies and educate packaging professionals. www.gpi.org

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