9 am-1 pm: Sierra Nevada Brewing Mills River Facility Sustainability Tour

Our sustainability tour covers much of the lush brewery grounds, showcasing our alternative energy efforts and many of the initiatives based on our “reduce, reuse, recycle, rot” philosophy.

You’ll check out the incredible features at our LEED Platinum certified production facility, and we'll discuss our wastewater treatment plant and the recycling and conservation program that helps us divert 99.8% of our solid waste away from landfills. We may also serve up some guest speakers and industry experts along the way.  The restaurant is closed on Wednesdays but there are snacks and beverages to enjoy on the Back Porch after the tour.

Transportation provided from the hotel conference registration area entrance at 9:00 am.  Arrives back to hotel by 1 pm.

$40 per person Transportation provided from host hotel.

1:00 pm-4:00 pm: Sonoco Recycling MRF/Wicked Weed (West) Brewing facility

A top 10 recycler in the U.S., Sonoco Recycling annually collects nearly 3 million tons of old corrugated containers, mixed paper, metals and plastics.  Sonoco partners with local governments to collect 250,000 tons of curbside recyclables in 150 cities and towns across the Southeastern US each year.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at one of our Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and learn about how recyclables are processed before being repurposed into new materials.  In addition, see firsthand how Sonoco handles the materials generated from the local breweries recycling cooperative.

Almost next door to Sonoco is the 50 barrel production facility for WIcked Weed Brewing.  In addition to making great beer for East Coast distribution, Wicked Weed has a strong sustainability focus.  Wicked Weed is proud to be the first craft brewery to add standardized recycling labels to their products through the How2Recycle platform, offer community recycling drop-offs at this location and goals to divert greater than 99% of all waste materials from beer, cider, and wine production  to reuse, recycle, or compost.

Transportation provided from the hotel conference registration area entrance at 12:55 pm. Transportation direct from Sierra Nevada to Sonoco Recycling for dual tour option with extra time at Sierra Nevada to get lunch or bring something to eat on the shuttle (the brewery does not allow off-site food consumption).  Arrives back to hotel by 4 pm.

$25 per person. Transportation provided from host hotel at 1 pm.

8:30-12:00 pm Biltmore Estate Sustainability Tour and all day gardens and grounds

Go on a behind-the-scenes tour of one of most famous properties in the Southeast to learn about how the Estate handles all kinds of waste throughout their property. 

When George Vanderbilt began planning his grand estate in Asheville, N.C., his vision was twofold. First, he wanted to create a place where he could relax and entertain friends and family.  Second, he envisioned a self-sustaining estate that would nurture the land and its resources for years to come. From this vision came the nation’s first scientific forestry program and the beginning of a family focus on the environment.

Biltmore’s team continues to honor his vision today by acting as good stewards of its land, forest, and livestock resources, including Estate Composting and Practicing Sustainability through Corporate Social Responsibility that focuses on reducing, reusing, and recycling for the estate.

This tour includes gardens and grounds access only, which allows you to enter the estate and enjoy the 8,000 acres of gardens, trails and eating, wine tasting and shopping at Antler Hill Village after the sustainability tour.  You can add the HOUSE tour for $50.  Minimum number needed.

For the tour, please get your tickets at the SERDC Symposium Registration desk and plan to park in the Antler Hill Village parking lots (ample parking).  The Biltmore shuttle will pick you up at the Creamery shuttle stop. This will be a private shuttle for our group only.  NOTE: From the Biltmore Estate entrance, it's approximately a 5-7 minute drive to Antler Hill Village parking.  Tour BEGINS at 9 am.

$150 includes all-day grounds pass.  Self transportation to the estate. + $50 for house (timed daily reservations are required so sign up early). Book Now.