Corona’s “Natural Freezers” Distract from the Beer Industry’s Massive Ecological Footprint

Corona, owned by global alcohol giant AB InBev, is once again pushing a shiny PR campaign dressed up as environmental action – this time in the form of “natural freezers.” These beachside structures, promoted in a recent Merca2.0 article, use a passive cooling system combining ice, salt, natural ventilation, and insulating materials like coconut fiber to chill beer without electricity. The company plans to roll these out in just 50 locations across Mexico.

In a country saturated with conventional beer coolers, 50 “natural freezers” is a drop in the ocean – not a solution, but a photo op. This is the pattern: Alcohol companies invests in small-scale and low-impact initiatives, just enough to boast about them in ads and press releases. It’s a textbook case of greenwashing – diverting attention from the industry’s massive environmental harm while polishing its public image.

Let’s be clear: the alcohol industry is a major contributor to environmental degradation. Brewing beer consumes enormous amounts of water and energy. Corona has faced criticism for draining local water supplies in drought-prone areas like Mexico, prioritizing exports over community needs. And AB InBev’s global operations generate millions of tons of CO₂ annually.

Manipulation is Big Alcohol’s activity to control its image. The alcohol industry engages in manipulation activities to protect and cultivate their image and the values of their brands. Deploying manipulation strategies serves for Big Alcohol to appear as “good corporate citizens”. The focus of the DUBIOUS FIVE strategy of manipulation is the alcohol company, their brands and value. Examples are Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), green-washing, pink-washing, rainbow-washing, or white-washing activities.

Source:
https://www.merca20.com/que-es-natural-freezers-la-nueva-apuesta-sustentable-de-cerveza-corona/

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