Retail
Case Study

Container Lite

Date
01 May 2007
Documents
pdf file CS: CL Lightweight glass consumer perc, may 2007 
(273 kb)
pdf file Report: Container Lite Co-op, May 2007 
(1128 kb)
pdf file CS: CL Lightweight Spirits Bottles May 2007 
(120 kb)
pdf file CS: CL Lightweighting Beer Bottles May 2007 
(241 kb)
pdf file CS: CL lightweighting glass summary, July 2007 
(187 kb)
pdf file Report: CL Demonstrating Glass Lightweighting April 2007 
(8427 kb)

How lightweighting glass packaging can boost business

WRAP worked with leading brand owners, retailers and the glass container manufacturing industry to develop and trial a range of innovative lightweight glass food and drink containers.

New containers underwent rigorous production, filling and consumer perception trials, and several prototype designs were so successful that they are now in commercial production.

Around  2.5 million tonnes of glass are used in packaging in the UK every year, so reducing the average glass container weight by just 10% would generate savings of 250,000 tonnes.

As a result of the Container Lite trials, several lightweight containers are now on-shelf.

Detailed consumer perception studies were carried out as part of the project, which showed that lightweighted containers can be developed without compromising consumer appeal or product durability.

Economics

The Savings

The 36,500 tonnes of glass that have been saved in the first 12 months following the project, have generated approximate material cost savings of around £12 million,  carbon savings of approximately 27,000 tonnes and energy savings of nearly 30 million kWh.

Container Lite has been successful in raising industry awareness and increasing the momentum of lightweighting. In order to develop this further, WRAP is now funding further lightweighting trials in the wine, food, beer and spirits sector. This work will be completed in 2008. 

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A group of clear glass jars of various shapes and sizes

Container Lite - a major study into lightweighting glass packaging - offers potentially significant cost savings for businesses and the reduction in the amount of glass used in packaging.

 


See Also:
The project also incorporated research and development findings on lightweighting whisky bottles and food containers within The Co-op. Container Lite Co-op final report, May 2007.pdf (1128 kb) [pdf]

 

For further information on glass lightweighting see our GlassRite projects