Report Reveals Key Carbon Choices for Wine Trade
18 May 2007
Bulk importing of wine into the UK delivers significant reductions in CO2 emissions, but savings can vary significantly depending on the transport and packaging used, according to a new report from WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme).
Titled “Bottling Wine in a Changing Climate”, the study illustrates where reductions in the wine trade’s transport and packaging carbon footprint can be made. It analyses the footprint of wine imported from the Berri Estate in Australia and the Bordeaux region in France, and demonstrates key areas where savings can be made through the use of bulk containers or bottling at source, lighter glass bottles and method of transport chosen.
It reveals that significant reductions in CO2 emissions from the transportation of wine can be achieved by converting wine from shipping in bottles to bulk importation. This can reduce emissions by 30% to 40%. In addition, lighter glass bottles can also achieve reductions of up to 30%.
However, even greater reductions are possible by combining these strategies. For instance, combining the benefits of bulk shipping and bottling in the UK into the lightest 300g bottles can result in 375g CO2 savings for every 75cl bottle of wine.
The study is a key stage in WRAP’s GlassRite programme. Launched in 2006, it is encouraging the lightweighting of wine bottles sold in the UK, and encourages more wine importers, brand owners and retailers to bulk import wine and then bottle it in lighter glass bottles manufactured in the UK.
By analysing the different transport and packaging options available the study has established benchmark figures that can help importers reduce their carbon footprint.
Andy Dawe, WRAP’s Glass Technology Manager, said: “This report is important because it allows importers to make informed decisions about cutting their emissions.
“By encouraging the industry to bulk import wine and bottle it here in the UK, we can reduce the amount of green glass entering our recycling systems and also increase the use of lighter weight bottles, which use less raw material and are better for the environment.”
He added: “As well as cutting glass waste, this approach also improves the industry’s carbon emissions profile, and saves money by reducing transport and energy costs.”
The impact of the GlassRite project is already being felt with Constellation and Tesco, Asda and Somerfield engaged in a series of commercial trials to look at the issues surrounding bulk importing and lightweighting.
The study will be made available at the London International Wine & Spirits Fair (LIWSF) with further discussion taking place at WRAP’s briefing session “Bottling Wine in a Changing Climate”, to be held at 1.30pm on Tuesday 22nd May in the Waterfront Room (W11/1) at London’s ExCeL exhibition centre.
WRAP is also spearheading the use of lighter glass packaging in other food and drink sectors, including spirits and beer. Through this initiative, Rockware Glass produced the first commercially available 70cl spirits bottle to weigh less than 300 grams, Coors Brewers Ltd reduced the weight of its 300ml Grolsch beer bottle by 23%, and Adnams Brewery adopted a new ‘best in class’ lightweight bottle for its 500ml Broadside, Explorer and The Bitter brands.
Titled “Bottling Wine in a Changing Climate”, the study illustrates where reductions in the wine trade’s transport and packaging carbon footprint can be made. It analyses the footprint of wine imported from the Berri Estate in Australia and the Bordeaux region in France, and demonstrates key areas where savings can be made through the use of bulk containers or bottling at source, lighter glass bottles and method of transport chosen.
It reveals that significant reductions in CO2 emissions from the transportation of wine can be achieved by converting wine from shipping in bottles to bulk importation. This can reduce emissions by 30% to 40%. In addition, lighter glass bottles can also achieve reductions of up to 30%.
However, even greater reductions are possible by combining these strategies. For instance, combining the benefits of bulk shipping and bottling in the UK into the lightest 300g bottles can result in 375g CO2 savings for every 75cl bottle of wine.
The study is a key stage in WRAP’s GlassRite programme. Launched in 2006, it is encouraging the lightweighting of wine bottles sold in the UK, and encourages more wine importers, brand owners and retailers to bulk import wine and then bottle it in lighter glass bottles manufactured in the UK.
By analysing the different transport and packaging options available the study has established benchmark figures that can help importers reduce their carbon footprint.
Andy Dawe, WRAP’s Glass Technology Manager, said: “This report is important because it allows importers to make informed decisions about cutting their emissions.
“By encouraging the industry to bulk import wine and bottle it here in the UK, we can reduce the amount of green glass entering our recycling systems and also increase the use of lighter weight bottles, which use less raw material and are better for the environment.”
He added: “As well as cutting glass waste, this approach also improves the industry’s carbon emissions profile, and saves money by reducing transport and energy costs.”
The impact of the GlassRite project is already being felt with Constellation and Tesco, Asda and Somerfield engaged in a series of commercial trials to look at the issues surrounding bulk importing and lightweighting.
The study will be made available at the London International Wine & Spirits Fair (LIWSF) with further discussion taking place at WRAP’s briefing session “Bottling Wine in a Changing Climate”, to be held at 1.30pm on Tuesday 22nd May in the Waterfront Room (W11/1) at London’s ExCeL exhibition centre.
WRAP is also spearheading the use of lighter glass packaging in other food and drink sectors, including spirits and beer. Through this initiative, Rockware Glass produced the first commercially available 70cl spirits bottle to weigh less than 300 grams, Coors Brewers Ltd reduced the weight of its 300ml Grolsch beer bottle by 23%, and Adnams Brewery adopted a new ‘best in class’ lightweight bottle for its 500ml Broadside, Explorer and The Bitter brands.
Editor's notes:
- WRAP is working with retailers, brand owners, manufacturers and packaging suppliers to identify collaborative projects whose primary aim is to reduce the amount of food and packaging waste that ends up in the household bin and maximising the recycling of packaging.
- WRAP works in partnership to encourage and enable businesses and consumers to be more efficient in their use of materials and recycle more things more often. This helps to minimise landfill, reduce carbon emissions and improve our environment.
- Established as a not-for-profit company in 2000, WRAP is backed by Government funding from Defra and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Working in seven key areas (Construction, Retail, Manufacturing, Organics, Business Growth, Behavioural Change, and Local Authority Support), WRAP’s work focuses on market development and support to drive forward recycling and materials resource efficiency within these sectors, as well as wider communications and awareness activities including the multi-media national Recycle Now campaign for England.
- More information on all of the WRAP Retail Team’s programmes can be found at www.wrap.org.uk/retail
