SUPPORTING THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY: HOW THE BREWING INDUSTRY OF MECKLENBURG COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA CAN SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC STRATEGY

This research investigates beer production in Mecklenburg County and its impact on water demand, and waste production, with a specific focus on how beer production fits into Charlotte’s public strategy of a Circular Economy. Charlotte adopted a Circular Economy to not only provide environmental benefits, by reducing waste and recycling, but also to bridge the wealth divide and create opportunities for upward mobility through innovation and job creation. In this research, three questions are examined in relationship to beer production: investigate the impact of water demand on beer production in Mecklenburg County through 2065, quantify the impact of spent grain waste generated by beer production on the Circular Economy, and assess if and how breweries can support the Circular Economy in Mecklenburg County. The results of this research answers questions to knowledge gaps as to the impact the brewery industry has on water demand and solid waste in Mecklenburg County.