A wine bottle made entirely from Australian-sourced 100% recycled PET plastic is addressing the carbon footprint of wine by targeting the industry’s environmental “hotspot”, the glass bottle.
In a collaboration between climate tech packaging business Packamama and winemakers Accolade Wines and Taylors Wines, ‘eco-bottles’ of Banrock Station wines and Taylors’ One Small Step range are now for sale exclusively through select Liquorland and First Choice Liquor Market stores nationally.
The launch marks the Australian market debut of the eco-bottle.
With a “nod to tradition”, Packamama’s eco-bottle shares the “classic high-shouldered silhouette” of a traditional ‘Bordeaux’ wine bottle. But when turned to the side, it reveals a slimmer, flatter profile that is said to allow twice as many bottles to fit in a standard wine case – this, says Packamama, means it’s much more efficient to transport. Using recycled PET, adds the company, also saves weight and with the bottles being 83% lighter, emissions in transport are reduced as well as the energy in production and recycling to further tackle greenhouse gas emissions.
Were both Accolade Wines and Taylors Wines to switch entirely to eco-bottles, it is said this would cut 250,000km of road freight a year. And when customers are finished with their wines, the empty bottle (minus the bottle cap) is fully recyclable.
While the shape of the eco-bottle is a departure from the traditional round wine bottle, Packamama founder and Chief Executive Navarro is confident the time is right for Australian winemakers to respectfully challenge a couple of centuries of tradition.
“Australia is globally recognised as a leader in wine packaging thanks to break-through innovations, including bag-in-box casks and screw-top caps for wines, and we are highly motivated to launch our climate-friendly bottle at Coles with Accolade Wines and Taylors Wines,” he says.
“Coles’ ambition to be Australia’s most sustainable retailer is powerfully aligned with our ambition to deliver the world’s most scalable, sustainable bottle.”
Coles at ‘leading edge’ of packaging innovation
Coles Liquor Acting General Manager Customer, Trade Planning & Insights Mia Lloyd says it’s exciting to be at the leading edge of packaging innovation with the eco-bottle.
“We know our customers want us to do more in relation to sustainability and this exclusive collaboration with Liquorland, First Choice Liquor Market, Packamama, Taylors Wines and Accolade Wines significantly reduces the carbon footprint of wine for customers every day,” she says.
“The lightweight and flatter eco-bottle also gives our customers a convenient new option when they’re packing for that camping or caravan holiday.”
Accolade and Taylors go big
Accolade Wines, who launched the eco-flat bottle two years ago in Europe, is on a mission to improve the sustainability of the wine industry and has ambitious targets to advance circular economy packaging across its entire portfolio.
Accolade Wines Global Chief Marketing Officer Sandy Mayo says in the last 18 months alone, the company has launched a variety of sustainable and innovative packaging solutions including wine in cans, wine on tap, bagnums, as well as a world-first circular, sustainable packaging solution for on-premise partners.
“We chose Banrock Station to launch the eco-bottle in Australia, because the environmental credentials fit perfectly with the brand’s 25-year sustainability heritage and its commitment to forging a more sustainable future for the planet,” she says.
“By purchasing Banrock Station wine, wine-lovers can rest assured that they are doing something positive for the environment while enjoying delicious, sustainably-made wine from South Australia.”
Taylors third-generation winemaker and Managing Director Mitchell Taylor adds that the eco-bottle delivers a more sustainable bottle for consumers and provides another way for wineries to improve their carbon footprint.
“We know that Australian wine drinkers are very open to innovation when it provides real benefits, like this sustainable eco-bottle does,” he said.
“Australia led the global change from cork to screwcap and Taylors was the first major producer to bottle all our wines under the closure. We believe Australians will again lead in adopting this more sustainable bottle.”
The Banrock Station Eco-bottle Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir, along with the Taylors One Small Step Eco-bottle Chardonnay and Shiraz retail for $16 a bottle.