Earth-friendly vodka to be widely available in U.S.

Green meeting, event and party planners take note: The Modern Spirits Group has announced expanded distribution of TRU Organic Spirits, a line that includes eco-friendly organic vodkas made from wheat grown in the U.S. The vodkas, introduced six months ago, come in 100 percent recycled, recyclable and biodegradable bottles. Furthermore, for every bottle sold the makers of the vodkas plant one tree in a tropical zone through groups such as Sustainable Harvest International.

“Our work with local farmers while creating our Artisan Vodka line opened our eyes to the need for sustainable farming and ecological stewardship,” notes company co-founder Melkon Khosrovian. “With TRU, we are doing our part to keep farmland, groundwater and our customers free of harmful chemicals and genetically modified organisms.”

The TRU line consists of three handcrafted vodkas: Straight, Lemon and Vanilla. Each is produced with certified organic ingredients such as American wheat, Bourbon vanilla beans and California lemon zest.

Other green features of the TRU vodkas include bottles that use 25 percent less glass than typical bottles; corn-fiber labels printed with soy-based ink; recyclable synthetic corks; shipping boxes made in part from post-consumer waste; and marketing materials on tree-free stock printed in vegetable inks.

TRU is now available in 15 states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina and Tennessee. A 750ml bottle retails for $34.99.


| Other Headlines for September 25, 2008

America's greenest hotels 2008 (MSNBC)

In UK, Considerate Hoteliers Assn. launches green awards (Travel Daily News)