Beverages
The beverage sector in the UK is large and uses various packaging materials and formats.
The product categories include:
| Alcoholic Drinks | Soft Drinks |
| Wine (incl. sparkling) | Carbonates |
| Sparkling wine and champagne | Water (incl. flavoured) |
| Beer (lager & ale) | Juices (incl. concentrates) |
| Cider | Smoothies |
| Spirits (incl. liquers) | Sports & energy drinks |
| Ready to Drink (RTD) |
(Note: excludes milk, tea and coffee)
Pack formats include bottles, cans, liquid cartons and pouches.
Pack materials include glass, plastic (PET, PVC, HDPE, PP), liquid cartons and cans.
Scope for packaging optimisation
There is huge potential for reducing packaging and improving product delivery, for example:
- down-gauging and de-layering to reduce packaging, considering primary, secondary and tertiary as a whole system, e.g. carton board lightweighting and multi-packs;
- compaction and concentration to increase the number of uses per pack, e.g. squash;
- use of refills, e.g. ale, soft drinks or wines;
- use of recycled content in packaging, e.g. rPET in soft drinks; and
- merchandising solutions which can help reduce primary, secondary and tertiary packaging. Merchandising can also help to communicate to consumers what changes have been made to packaging.
Work in progress
- Development of plans to improve resource efficiency for key product categories;
- Engagement with key retailers, trade associations, brands and the supply chain to identify priorities, opportunities for collaboration and potential in the sector;
- Working groups in the sector in conjunction with trade associations to improve resource efficiency throughout the supply chain on own-label and branded products;
- A number of research projects in the category have already been carried out, including work with brands such as Adnams, Grolsch, Coca-Cola, Constellation Europe and Kingsland Wines and Spirits. (See GlassRite).
- Most major brands and packer-fillers are involved and many think there is further scope for optimisation; and
- Establishment of a baseline for the amount of packaging used in the sector and level of product damage. Develop benchmarking tools to inform the sector.
Current projects:
- GlassRite Wine: Phase II;
- Multi pack specifications; and
- Premiumisation in the beverage sector.
