Sol

How ethical and sustainable is Sol? 

Sol is included in The Good Shopping Guide’s Beer, Lager & Cider Ethical Ratings Table. Even though Sol hasn’t currently met our Ethical Benchmark, we hope that it will begin to implement more ethical and sustainability policies in the future. Sol may increase customer and investor confidence by submitting an application for Ethical Accreditation, which consists of a more extensive assessment and recommendations for ethical development.

More information on the issues may be found in The Good Shopping Guide to Ethical Lager, Cider and Beer brands.

Then, in our Beer, Lager and Cider Ethical Ratings Table compare it to other brands.

What does Sol do?

Sol began in Mexico, in 1899, offering ‘the opportunity to taste the sun’. Sol is currently sold in 85 countries with one product which is 4.2% alcoholic. According to the brand, since 2020 Sol, has been brewed in the Netherlands with solar energy, 60% of the energy for the brewing process and 40% of the packaging process is produced with solar energy. You can read more about Sol’s story here.

However, Sol is now a part of the Heineken group, a large company that scores poorly on our Ethical Beer, Lager and Cider Ratings Table.

For which criteria does Sol perform poorly? 

Due to its lack of Organic and Vegan beer, as well as its Genetic Modification policy, and Public Record Criticisms, Sol received low scores.

Past Criticisms of Sol’s ethical record

Sol’s ethics criticisms come from its parent company Heineken. Heineken received a low score in the Corporate Information Transparency Index, which you can read more about here.

The brand also received a low rating of D- on As You Sow’s 2021 Corporate Plastic scorecard for its Plastic Packaging pollution; Heinekin was also ranked Europe’s third worst plastic polluter by Break Free From Plastic.

In what areas does Sol score well for its ethics?

In our ethical research categories for Nuclear Power, Environmental Reporting, Animal Welfare, Political
Donations, and Armaments, Sol scored good marks. Heineken also receives top marks because of its sustainability strategy, which incorporates a number of long-term environmental objectives.

How can Sol improve its Ethical Rating?

Sol could apply for Ethical Accreditation for more detailed suggestions on how to improve. The Ethical Rating of a brand is divided into three categories by The Good Shopping Guide: the Environment, People and Animals. Find out more about how we rate. 

Sol may improve its rating and meet our ethical requirements by offering a line of organic or vegan beers. Additionally, the corporation should think about how to navigate the ethical issues posed by its parent company, Heineken, and also issue a Genetic Modification Policy.

Why not check out The Good Shopping Guide’s Ethical Accreditation if you work for or with a beer, lager or cider brand that places ethics high on its priority list?

Contact us to learn more, or complete our short form for an initial ethics and sustainability evaluation.