Plastic wine bottles part of Coles' sustainability push

Packaging company Packamama and winemakers Accolade Wines and Taylors Wines have combined expertise to produce a wine bottle made entirely from Australian-sourced 100 per cent recycled PET plastic.

Eco-bottles of Banrock Station wines and Taylors' One Small Step range have been on sale from select Liquorland and First Choice Liquor Market stores since June.

With a nod to tradition, Packamama's eco-bottle shares the high-shouldered silhouette of a traditional Bordeaux wine bottle, but when turned to the side, it reveals a slimmer, flatter profile that allows twice as many bottles to fit in a standard wine case, creating more efficient transport.

Using recycled PET also saves weight and with the bottles being 83pc lighter.

Emissions in transport are also reduced as well as the energy in production and recycling to further tackle greenhouse gas emissions.

RELATED READING

The empty bottles are fully recyclable, excluding the cap.

While the shape of the eco-bottle is a departure from the traditional round wine bottle, Packamama's chief executive and founder Santiago 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," Mr Navarro said.

"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 Liquor acting general manager customer, trade planning and insights, Mia Lloyd, said it was 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," Ms Lloyd said.

"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 Wines launched the eco-flat bottle two years ago in Europe.

The company's global chief marketing officer Sandy Mayo said in the past 18 months alone it has launched a variety of sustainable 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 said.

"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 managing director Mitchell Taylor said the eco-bottle delivered a more sustainable bottle for consumers and provided 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," Mr Taylor said.

"We believe Australians will again lead in adopting this more sustainable bottle."

Sign up here to Good Fruit and Vegetables weekly newsletter for all the latest horticulture news each Thursday...