The Margaret River Wine Association (MRWA) has launched its new Lightweight Glass Packaging Charter, promoted as a region-first initiative aimed at tackling one of the industry’s most significant sources of carbon emissions: glass packaging.

According to industry body Wine Australia, wine packaging accounts for 44% of emissions associated with wine production from grape to end-of-life packaging.

Wineries that make the “simple and impactful” switch to lightweight glass can reduce these emissions by over 20%.

Unveiled in early 2025, the charter already includes seven wineries as full signatories using lightweight bottles across their production, including Pierro Wines (which has used lightweight glass since 2012), Evans & Tate (since 2019), and La Kooki (since 2021).

An additional 10 wineries have provided a ‘statement of intent’ to become full signatories by the end of the 2025–2026 financial year. To become a full signatory, members must commit to an average bottle weight of less than 420 grams for all 750ml still wines.

“We are committed to continuous improvement, and one part of that is driving the adoption of lightweight glass for Margaret River wines,” says MRWA CEO Amanda Whiteland.

“Supporting our members in this transition is a key step in our broader sustainability efforts and lowering emissions in the wine industry.”

Wine Australia identified reducing glass weight as one of three key strategies in its 2023 ‘Emissions Reduction Roadmap’, which outlines a projected 42% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, with lightweight glass playing a central role in achieving that goal.

Although Margaret River accounts for only 2% of Australia’s wine grapes, the region’s 175 wineries collectively produce around 30 million bottles of wine each year. MRWA estimates that switching the entire region to lightweight glass could save approximately 3000 tonnes of glass annually.

“Even small changes can have a big impact,” says MRWA Sustainability Officer Kate Morgan. “Just by making wine bottles lighter, we could save enough glass to equal the weight of the Sydney Opera House roof.”

The Lightweight Glass Packaging Charter is one of several sustainability measures being led by the MRWA, which also supports its members in achieving Sustainable Wine Growing Australia certification across vineyards, wineries, and wine businesses.

Full list of signatories

• Evans & Tate
• Howard Park Wines
• La Kooki
• Pierro Wines
• Firetail Wines
• St John Wine
• Woodlands

Statement of intent (EOFY 25-26)

• Fraser Gallop Estate
• Greenpiper Wines
• Higher Plane Wines
• Jilyara Wines
• Juniper Estate
• South by South West
• Stormflower Vineyard
• Voyager Estate
• Wayfinder Wines
• Windance Estate