Circular use of feed by-products from alcohol production mitigates water scarcity

The distillery sector is among the biggest industrial water user in United Kingdom (UK) and simultaneously delivers valuable by-products traditionally used for cattle feed, but recent years increasingly bioenergy generation. Our research provides new insight into these two aspects of alcohol production by 1) presenting first scarcity footprint Scottish single malt whisky, 2) comparing potential avoided impacts through use to replace different feeds energy carriers. We applied Life Cycle Assessment, including a (AWARE methodology) carbon footprint, using primary data from whisky distillery. By-products feed were considered imported soybean meal Americas or rapemeal Europe combined with UK grown barley balance protein metabolisable substitution. Alternative by-product biogas replaced conventional heat electricity generation, transport fuel digestate substituting mineral fertilisers. 1 litre pure 0.79 m3 world eq., majority cooling, highlighting hotspot conservation. 4.4 kg CO2 predominantly caused heating gas oil. By-product as animal replacing barley, offsets up 47% 32% production. Using generates smaller offsets. Water reuse recovery measures should be investigated priorities reduce environmental whisky. Feeding all cereal based potable could save 370 M 37% UK's attributable soy feed.