Johnnie Byrd Brewing Co. recognized for efforts in helping environment

WAYNE, Neb. -- A northeast Nebraska business is receiving honors for its work in helping the environment.

The City of Wayne Green Team presented Johnnie Byrd Brewing Company with its Zero Hero award recognizing outstanding work in reducing, reusing, and recycling within the community of Wayne.

Since Greg Ptacek opened Johnnie Byrd Brewing Company in 2017, he has made sustainability part of its core values, Wayne officials said.

Johnnie Byrd brews all beers with 100% renewable energy, purchased from the City of Wayne via Renewable Energy Credits. All the grain used to make beer and spirits is fed to local cattle and kept out of the landfill. 

According to city leaders, Johnnie Byrd invests in reusable to go containers, such as glass growlers and aluminum cans, both of which are infinitely recyclable. It is repurposing nearly 2,500 wine bottles served in the taproom for a special project. Johnnie Byrd does not use paper towels in its main bathrooms. Instead, it uses washable, reusable cloth towels, keeping an estimated 2,900 cubic feet of trash out of landfills, or enough to fill 3 large school buses.

“We are proud to recognize Johnnie Byrd Brewing Company and Greg Ptacek for being a leader at running a thriving business committed to sustainability,” said Sandy Brown, chair of the City of Wayne Green Team. “Greg has proven that reusing as much as possible to conserve our planet’s resources also helps keep costs down and profits up. We congratulate Johnnie Byrd Brewing Company for being this year’s Zero Hero.” 

Founded in 2009, the Wayne Green Team is a group of community volunteers, city personnel and Wayne State College partners focused on minimizing waste and increasing sustainable behavior. 

Ptacek is an Osceola native who went to Wayne State College.