How CarbonBetter Supports BeatBox Beverages’ Sustainability Journey
BeatBox, with CarbonBetter’s support, is redefining sustainability in the RTD industry through innovation and accountability.
BeatBox Beverages (BeatBox), founded by Justin Fenchel, Aimy Steadman, and Brad Schultz, is one of the fastest-growing alcohol beverage companies in the United States (US). BeatBox’s mission is to bring people together and create a positive change in the world, combining a passion for fun and connection with a commitment to sustainability, positioning itself as one of the most environmentally responsible alcohol brands in the world. BeatBox’s sustainability journey began during product development, with careful consideration given to ingredient and packaging choices. In 2020, the company built upon its sustainability efforts by committing to becoming plastic-neutral through a partnership with rePurpose Global, funding the collection, processing, and reuse of as much ocean-bound plastic waste as possible and matching the volume of plastic used across its packaging and operations. From conducting a preliminary baseline assessment of its carbon emissions and publishing its first sustainability report to expanding Scope 3 emissions reporting and releasing its second sustainability report, BeatBox, with CarbonBetter’s help, has solidified its position as a leader in sustainable practices within the ready-to-drink (RTD) alcohol beverage space.
CarbonBetter Enables BeatBox’s Journey From Initial Disclosures to Full Transparency
First Sustainability Report: Initial Disclosures From Start-up to Scale-up
BeatBox’s Goals
In 2021, BeatBox released its inaugural sustainability report. The report included Scope 1, 2, and limited Scope 3 emissions data, with a focus on carbon, water, and waste, and the company’s energy use and carbon footprint. Before the report, BeatBox implemented an Environmental Management System (EMS) and a formal Environmental Policy to track its environmental performance and compliance and hold itself accountable for reducing its emissions. By partnering with CarbonBetter, BeatBox was able to
calculate its baseline emissions and develop reporting frameworks tailored to its operations.
CarbonBetter’s Role
CarbonBetter calculated BeatBox’s emissions using methodologies aligned with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) to establish its environmental baseline. We also helped BeatBox establish processes for tracking energy usage and emissions and recommended actionable steps to reduce energy consumption.
Second Sustainability Report: Adding Scope 3 Emissions and Calculating Emissions Intensity
BeatBox’s Goals
With its most recent sustainability report, BeatBox expanded Scope 3 calculations to include employee rideshare mileage and more detailed downstream distribution data. The 2022-2023 report highlighted BeatBox’s commitment to continuous improvement through several key operational enhancements.
The company consolidated from two U.S. co-packers to one, eliminating the need to tanker
blended liquid 63 miles for packaging. It also increased the shelf life of its wine and malt products from two years to three years, reducing product waste. Additionally, BeatBox transitioned to using liquid sucrose in U.S. manufacturing, eliminating the need to procure and transport cane sugar, as the co-packing facility now houses liquid sugar onsite.
Further optimizations included implementing cost-optimized flavors, which reduced the number of flavors shipped from Chicago to Mexico and California. The company also improved less-than-truckload (LTL) shipment bundling, reducing the overall number of LTL shipments needed.
For its 2022-2023 report, BeatBox introduced emissions intensity estimations for its products, showing a decrease in emissions per product even as total emissions grew due to the company’s significant operational and production scale-up since its first report.
CarbonBetter’s Role
CarbonBetter updated BeatBox’s Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions calculations for its latest sustainability report, including new calculations reflective of regional co-packing in California, which started in 2022. We also updated the waste and water footprints for BeatBox’s operations, as well as emission intensity calculations. As part of the process, we conducted working sessions to collaboratively review calculations with and provide educational guidance to BeatBox’s sustainability lead. Finally, we updated BeatBox’s sustainability report to reflect 2022 and 2023 calculation results to highlight operational changes and progress towards BeatBox’s sustainability goals.
“We are the change we have wanted to see in the alcohol industry, with everything from brand experience to product innovation to our responsible business model.”
Justin Fenchel, Co-founder and CEO, BeatBox Beverages
Sustainable Production, Packaging and Distribution
BeatBox’s Goals
BeatBox is committed to reducing its environmental impact across production, packaging, and distribution. Through strategic ingredient sourcing, sustainable packaging, and improved transportation logistics, the company continues to refine its operations while maintaining the high-quality and innovative products that have driven its success.
Sustainable Production & Ingredient Sourcing: BeatBox actively seeks to minimize emissions associated with ingredient transportation and production. Sugar, a key ingredient in its products, historically came from a high-water-stressed region, posing both environmental and supply chain challenges. To mitigate these impacts, BeatBox transitioned to liquid sucrose at its US co-packing facility in May 2023, eliminating the need for bulk cane sugar shipments and reducing transport-related emissions. Additionally, the company prioritizes sourcing ingredients as close as possible to its co-packing facilities to further minimize its carbon footprint.
To ensure its supply chain aligns with its sustainability commitments, BeatBox implemented an Environmental Management System (EMS), which provides a structured approach to monitoring supplier compliance with its Environmental Policy. This system helps the company track its environmental progress, ensure accountability, and drive continuous improvement across its value chain.
Sustainable Packaging Initiatives: Recognizing the significant role packaging plays in overall environmental impact, BeatBox has made deliberate choices to reduce waste and lower emissions. The company uses TetraPak cartons, which have a carbon footprint of just 39 g CO2e per carton—a lower-impact alternative than traditional glass or aluminum packaging. These cartons are resealable, recyclable, and lightweight, helping to reduce shipping emissions and improve consumer convenience.
However, despite the recyclability of TetraPak cartons, challenges remain in recycling infrastructure. While 61% of US municipalities offer carton recycling access, consumers currently recycle only 18% of cartons.
Distribution Efficiency: BeatBox is improving its distribution efficiencies to reduce emissions at the source. Historically, production was concentrated with a single co-packer in Mexico, requiring significant transportation efforts to reach US markets. To address this, BeatBox added a US-based co-packing facility in October 2022. It expanded production to an additional US co-packer in 2024 to cut back on transportation distances for raw ingredients and final product distribution, reducing emissions from freight logistics while increasing production capacity to meet growing demand.
CarbonBetter's Role
To aid BeatBox in improving its operational efficiency and reducing its carbon emissions intensity, we conducted comprehensive carbon accounting for each product's lifecycle, covering emissions from ingredient sourcing to distribution.
We also guided BeatBox in purchasing carbon offsets to neutralize its 2022 and 2023 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, carefully selecting offset projects geographically aligned with its emissions sources and providing meaningful co-benefits, such as community development or biodiversity conservation.
You Don’t Have to Wait – Start Now
BeatBox Beverages has demonstrated that sustainability is not just a marketing initiative—it's a core pillar of its business strategy. From ingredient sourcing to packaging innovations and distribution efficiencies, BeatBox has taken meaningful steps to minimize its environmental impact while maintaining the quality and innovation that define its brand. BeatBox's sustainability journey shows that no matter where one starts, businesses can take actionable steps toward reducing their environmental impact. By working with CarbonBetter, BeatBox has developed data-driven strategies, quantified and reduced emissions, and implemented sustainability initiatives that align with its operational growth. If your organization wants to integrate sustainability into its business strategy, CarbonBetter can help you navigate the process with tailored solutions for your organization.
No matter where your organization is in its sustainability journey, we're here to help. Contact us today to learn more.
CarbonBetter specializes in carbon accounting and emissions tracking, helping brands establish a baseline for their Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. By analyzing key operational areas—from ingredient sourcing to distribution—we provide data-driven insights and actionable strategies to reduce emissions intensity while supporting long-term sustainability goals.
CarbonBetter helps brands navigate sustainability reporting frameworks, ensuring transparency and compliance with industry standards. We guide companies through their first sustainability report, expand reporting to include Scope 3 emissions, and provide ongoing reporting support to track progress over time. Our work ensures that your sustainability disclosures are credible, data-backed, and aligned with best practices.
Yes, we assist in evaluating packaging materials, recyclability, and lifecycle emissions to identify opportunities for lower-carbon alternatives. We also analyze transportation logistics to improve efficiencies—such as consolidating suppliers, optimizing co-packing locations, and reducing freight emissions—ensuring a more sustainable supply chain without compromising scalability.
We help RTD brands offset their unavoidable emissions by sourcing high-quality carbon credits from projects that align with their values and emissions sources. Our approach ensures that offset projects provide meaningful co-benefits, such as biodiversity conservation or community development, reinforcing your brand’s commitment to sustainability.
The first step is a consultation where we assess your brand’s current sustainability efforts and identify priority areas. Whether you need carbon footprint analysis, sustainability reporting, emissions reductions, or packaging improvements, we tailor our services to meet your unique business needs. Contact us today to start building a more sustainable RTD brand.
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At CarbonBetter, we believe in progress over perfection. It’s not about doing everything—it’s about doing something. With over a decade of experience in the energy industry, we partner with organizations to guide them in the transition to a net-zero economy. CarbonBetter’s sustainability specialists work closely with partners across all industries to integrate sustainability solutions seamlessly into any business.
CarbonBetter helps organizations of all sizes measure, reduce, report, and offset their emissions, and tell stories about their sustainability journey.
Telling stories about sustainability efforts helps other organizations take action that will then, in turn, inspire others—it's never too early or late to start.
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