There’s nothing better than cracking a cold Stone & Wood with mates after a long day, whether you’re kicking back by the coast, swapping stories around the fire, or winding down in your own backyard. But when the last sip’s done and the esky’s empty, what happens next matters just as much as the beer in your hand.
We’ve always believed that enjoying beer goes hand-in-hand with looking after the place we call home. From the lush hinterland to the peeling point breaks of the Northern Rivers, and now with our beers brewed Australia-wide, we’re committed to leaving the Earth in a better place than we found it. That’s why we want to chat about something close to our hearts: giving your six-pack a second life through reusing and recycling.
So, What Can Be Recycled?
First up, let’s make it clear, every part of our packaging is designed with recycling in mind.
- Bottles: Brown glass bottles can go straight into your household recycling bin. Bottle recycling helps keep glass in circulation so it can be melted down and turned into new bottles, time and time again.
- Cans: Aluminium cans are a true recycling hero. They can be back on the shelf as a new can within just 60 days, so toss them in your yellow-top bin or CDS return point and let can recycling do its magic.
- Cartons and six-pack holders: Made from recycled cardboard, these can be flattened and added to your paper recycling.
It’s simple, but when we all do our bit, it adds up to a whole lot of impact.
The Circle of Beer Life
From the first crack of a can to the clink of bottles in the recycling bin, our beer doesn’t end when you take the last sip. Glass, aluminium, and cardboard can all come back as new six-packs, ready for another session with mates. It’s the circle of beer life, and it keeps the good times rolling without costing the Earth.
Creative Ways to Give Your Six-Pack a Second Life
Sure, recycling is important, but sometimes it’s fun to get creative before you send things off. Here are a few easy ways to reuse our packaging at home:
- Cardboard carriers as seed starters: Pop in a bit of soil, plant a few seeds, and you’ve got yourself a mini herb garden on the windowsill. Once they sprout, just transfer them to a bigger pot or straight into the veggie patch.
- Bottle vases: Rinse out your bottles and stick in a bunch of fresh natives, instant rustic charm for the kitchen table.
- DIY storage: Six-pack holders make handy organisers for art supplies, garden tools, or even as a makeshift caddy for sauces at your next barbecue.
- Kids’ craft projects: Empty cartons can become castles, spaceships or cubby accessories, just add imagination (and maybe some sticky tape).
By reusing first, then recycling, you’re giving our packaging the longest life possible.
Community Connection
For us, beer has always been about community and so has sustainability. We’ve spotted six-pack holders getting a second life as veggie starters at the farmers’ markets, cartons reborn as art projects at schools, and bottles shining as fairy-light holders at backyard gigs. That’s what we love about the Northern Rivers (and Australia more broadly), when we all pitch in, even small things make a big difference.
Closing the Loop with Container Deposit Schemes
If you live in a state with a container deposit scheme – like Return & Earn in NSW or Containers for Change in QLD, you can score 10 cents for every bottle or can you recycle. Think of it as beer karma: today’s recycling shout can help fund tomorrow’s round.
Brewing With Purpose: Stone & Wood as a B Corp
For us, beer has always been about more than what’s in the glass. Being a B Corp means we’re held to some of the highest standards when it comes to social and environmental impact, and that flows through everything we do. From the way we source ingredients, to how we look after our crew, to the way we reinvest in the communities that have supported us from day one, it all matters.
It’s about more than just pouring a pint. It’s about making sure every beer plays its part in a bigger picture, one where businesses care for people, place and planet in equal measure.
So when you crack a Stone & Wood, you’re not only enjoying a refreshing brew, you’re joining a movement that’s shaping a more sustainable future, right here in Australia.
Looking Ahead
Of course, we’re not stopping there. We’re always on the lookout for smarter, cleaner and more sustainable ways to brew. That could mean reducing our water use, trialling lighter-weight packaging, or supporting circular economy projects that turn waste into something useful again.
At the heart of it all is a simple idea: keep the footprint light and the beers flowing.
Our Bigger Picture
It’s not just about what happens once a six-pack leaves the brewery, it’s about what we do behind the scenes too. Across our breweries Australia-wide, we’re rolling out ways to cut down waste, recycle more, and use our resources wisely. From bottle recycling programs to energy-saving systems, every change, big or small, adds up.
And here’s the thing: beer really does taste better when you know you’re helping to look after the planet we all share. So next time you raise a Stone & Wood, think of it as a toast not just to good mates and good times, but to giving your six-pack a second life.
Join Us on the Journey
We reckon sustainability works best when it’s shared. Whether you’re recycling your bottles, finding creative new uses for your six-pack holders, or simply passing on the word, you’re part of a community making a difference with every beer.
Want to learn more? Check out our Recycling Guide or explore our Impact Initiatives to see how we’re brewing for tomorrow as much as we are for today.
Circularity: Stone & Wood & Friends Celebrate National Recycling Week ♻️
This National Recycling Week, we’re turning our Byron Bay Tasting Room into a little hub of good ideas and good vibes. Circularity is all about rolling up your sleeves and getting involved in the circular economy, think film, live music, local eats and hands-on workshops with some of our favourite community mates.
We’re kicking things off on Thursday 13 November with a screening of Future Council by Damon Gameau, followed by a fireside chat with local changemakers who are sparking positive change in our backyard.
Then on Friday 14 November, we’re diving into an Afternoon of Circularity, upcycling and repair sessions with legends like Fallen Broken Street, Atmosea, Patagonia, and RecycleSmart, plus a recycling drive, live tunes, and bites from our friends at @100miletables.
It’s all about connecting, creating, and celebrating the small actions that add up to big impact. Come down, get inspired, and share a beer with us.
Cheers to doing good together! 🍻
