An independent Dorset brewer is using plastic-free Christmas crackers this festive season as part of its drive to become a carbon neutral business.

Hall & Woodhouse says the Christmas crackers and their contents are made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accredited sustainable sources and are fully recyclable.

Their introduction is part of a larger and ongoing green strategy which the brewer has implemented in all of its 180 managed houses across the south.

To date, Hall & Woodhouse has prevented in excess of two million plastic straws and stirrers going to landfill since introducing paper straws in 2017.

Additionally, last year Hall & Woodhouse launched a range of reusable, collapsible Stojo coffee cups that are available for guests to buy in its managed houses.

Mark James

Mark James, Director, said: “Over the past couple of years, we have made a number of changes to our business to become ‘greener’ and help to reduce our carbon footprint.

“This ranges from solar panels at our brewery to LED lights in our pubs.

“It’s about doing the right thing and our plastic-free Christmas crackers are another small step in our green journey.”

Hall & Woodhouse was founded in 1777 by Charles Hall, a Dorset farmer, who opened a brewery in the village of Ansty.

The company is still family owned with Mark Woodhouse and Anthony Woodhouse as the current seventh generation stewards.