Top retailers join to lighten wine bottle load
The wine industry is taking a significant leap towards sustainability, thanks to the "Bottle Weight Accord" spearheaded by the Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR), a global collaborative platform committed to advancing sustainability across the entire wine industry, from production to retail. Joining hands in this endeavor are nine major international wine retailers, including Laithwaites, Lidl GB, Naked Wines UK, Naked Wines USA, Sweden’s Systembolaget AB, The Wine Society, Virgin Wines, Waitrose, and Whole Foods Market. Their collective goal is to substantially reduce the weight of glass wine bottles over the next three years. This initiative holds a pivotal role in mitigating the environmental impact of the wine sector. Research conducted by Dr. Peter Stanbury from SWR reveals that up to 50% of the environmental footprint of wine can be attributed to the glass bottles themselves.
Dr. Stanbury suggests it's entirely possible to further slim down the current average weight of a 750 ml still wine bottle, which stands at around 550 grams. He states, "There's no tangible reason preventing wine bottles of any variety from achieving a weight of approximately 420 grams or less." This statement challenges common misconceptions, such as the belief that heavier bottles denote higher quality or that lighter bottles are too delicate. Research proves these notions unfounded, paving the way for a significant transformation within the wine industry. The importance of reducing bottle weight is underscored by the fact that up to 50% of the environmental impact of wine comes directly from the bottles themselves. This impact results from a combination of carbon emissions during bottle production and the energy needed for transportation. Therefore, the emphasis on lighter bottles represents a significant goal in reducing the carbon emissions associated with the wine industry.
The Sustainable Wine Roundtable has introduced the "Bottle Weight Accord," with the support of major wine retailers. The primary objective is to reduce the average weight of 750 ml wine bottles from the current 550 grams to less than 420 grams by the end of 2026. This ambitious goal will be achieved through a series of key steps: Removing heavier bottles: Retailers are committed to promptly phasing out heavier bottles, initiating the weight reduction process, reducing the weight of "private label" bottles: By the end of 2025, it is expected that "private label" wine bottles will have a lower weight, collaborating with branded wine producers: SWR will partner with branded wine producers to advocate for lighter bottles and provide guidance on necessary changes in bottling line management.
Each SWR member retailer has pledged to gradually introduce reductions in the weight of wine bottles in their supply chains. These advancements will be closely monitored by SWR, with retailers required to report the average weight of their wine bottles every six months. This public monitoring will serve as a testament to the industry's commitment to reducing bottle weight over time. Achieving an average wine bottle weight below 420 grams represents just the initial stride towards enhanced sustainability in the wine sector. SWR will explore further potential reductions over time and conduct additional research to address the environmental impact of wine packaging. This includes reducing the weight of sparkling wine bottles, exploring alternative packaging formats, and adopting bulk shipping an accord signifies a significant leap towards a more sustainable wine industry and underscores that lighter bottles can make a substantial contribution to reducing carbon emissions.