A look behind the scenes at the UK’s booming eco-sector.
Whilst it appears that wine consumption generally in the UK is currently in decline, British vineyards and homegrown wine is holding its own, so while people may be drinking a little less, they’re thinking more about quality, provenance and sustainability.
And that shift matters. It’s not just about how wine is made anymore, it’s about how it’s packaged, shipped and sold. With over 1,000 vineyards and more than 200 wineries now operating in the UK, producers are under growing pressure to offer packaging that protects both the wine and the planet. As consumer habits evolve, so must the industry and sustainable packaging is becoming a crucial part of the conversation.
At Glassworks International, we work with everyone from long-established winemakers to more local, boutique producers and the question that dominates the conversation is:
“What makes a wine bottle truly sustainable?”
There are five key components to this:
Lightweight bottles are leading the way in sustainable packaging. Perhaps the single largest factor in a wine bottle’s carbon footprint is its weight. It affects units produced per ton of glass, it affects fuel consumption during shipping and it affects the recycling process.
Heavier bottles might feel more premium, but the real price for them is being paid on the environmental side.
Did you know?
Switching from a 520g bottle to our 300g lightweight Bordeaux bottle can reduce carbon emissions by as much as 42% per unit through transportation and manufacturing.
Changes like these make a huge impact, not just for the planet but also on a company’s bottom line.
Sustainability isn’t limited to the production. The journey it takes has a huge impact too.
At Glassworks International, we help wineries source smartly, consolidating imports and providing customs-cleared stock from our UK warehouses, helping to reduce unnecessary freight and handling.
We work to simplify your supply chain and optimising your processes through Glassworks International can also significantly lower your carbon emissions.
Glass is 100% recyclable. It is one of the most wonderful things about it is a packaging material. It can be processed back into additional units time and again with no deterioration, unlike plastic equivalents.
Our glass bottles are:
The consumer cares about our planet and they are watching closely. As supermarkets and retailers follow suit, the need for a sustainable solution continues to grow.
There’s a misplaced belief that lightweight items low quality. With clever design, embossing and colour choice, a lighter bottle can still look every bit the premium item for your produce.
Glassworks International works with wineries to tailor bottle designs to reflect both brand identity and environmental values.
Schemes like the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) are moving the onus of recycling costs from local councils on to the supply chain, including importers and producers. If you’re taking heavier, non-optimised packaging to market, you could be facing higher fees and greater scrutiny.
Future proofing your packaging isn’t just about minimising emissions, but can also keep regulatory fees down for your organisation.
The Glassworks View
At Glassworks International, we believe that wine packaging should be:
Together, they tell a story your customers will be proud to buy into; one where the wine industry remains at the forefront of sustainable practice while retaining excellent standards.
Want help switching to a more sustainable bottle?
We offer everything from stock supply to custom tooling and we’ll even hold your hand through EPR costs and logistics planning.
Glassworks International takes pride in keeping up to date with the latest technologies and trends within glass manufacturing and production.