“On the top it says here, 100% recyclable,” said Rob Vandenabeele from Lamplighter Brewery. “It’s true in theory but it’s not true in the real world, unfortunately.”

Microbrewing is a big business in Massachusetts. Ten years ago, there were only about 50 craft brewers in the state. Today, according to the craft-brewery-enthusiast website Mass Brew Bros, there are well over 200.

With the industry continuously expanding, brewers are continuously aware of how it continues to impact the environment — municipal recycling facilities refuse to take the plastic toppers that hold four-packs together.

Vandenabeele cares deeply about two things: the environment and craft beer. His website,  Ecofriendly Beer, encomasses both, offering “insights on how the brewing industry and its consumers can be environmentally mindful of our earth, the only planet with craft beer.”

“My goal is to educate people in the craft beer community on how to be more environmentally conscious about consumption,” says Vandenabeele, who has visited almost all the craft breweries in Massachusetts, and many of the 600-plus microbreweries across New England. “Or, from the brewing side, how to be a more eco-conscious business.”

Vandenabeele estimates that Massachusetts brewers use 10 million plastic beer toppers a year; nationwide, brewers use over a billion. New England microbreweries use their fair share: nationwide, Vermont is the number one state for breweries per capita. Maine and New Hampshire are also in the top 10.

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Photo courtesy of NOAA