As part of World Environment Day on 5 June, WineGB has launched a Sustainability Packaging Toolkit, the second in its series of comprehensive guidance documents supporting sustainable action in vineyards and wineries.  

The carbon output from wine packaging ranges from 30% to almost 60% of the total carbon footprint of wine production. This toolkit allows readers to understand the impact of their decisions as well as how to comply with industry standards and choose the most suitable packaging options. It also includes packaging life cycle analysis, examples of best practice, relevant resources, checklists, retailer requirements, and case studies.  

The toolkit examines different forms of wine packaging, assessing their strengths and weaknesses. For example, it addresses the issue of glass bottles, valued by traditional method sparkling wine producers, being both inert and able to withstand high pressure. While glass production has significant energy use and carbon emissions, glass is made from abundant raw materials and is infinitely recyclable without degradation in quality. There is considerable improvement potential as using recycled glass can reduce emissions by up to 30%, although most bottles contain only a proportion of recycled glass. Unnecessarily heavy bottles have attracted criticism from within the wine trade and led to critics such as Jancis Robinson MW publishing bottle weights alongside reviews. The toolkit also highlights potential future developments such as Sustainable Wine Table’s efforts to explore lightweighting options for sparkling wine bottles. 

This is WineGB’s first member-only sustainability toolkit, one of many to be published over the coming months. It builds on the free and open access Safeguarding and Welfare Toolkit released last year. This was gifted to help the whole sector after the law change to ensure that employers take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. This has been shared with other alcohol trade associations and their members to protect the health, wellbeing, and rights of those working in wine and wider alcohol sector. 

WineGB’s next toolkit will be launched in the summer. It will focus on employment and hiring approaches, including the legalities and best practice. It will also highlight the latest employment data from the English and Welsh wine industry.  

Nicola Bates, CEO of WineGB, comments: “Our Sustainable Packaging Toolkit enables English and Welsh wine producers to make more informed choices about their packaging that best suits the need of their businesses. It’s crucial to keep our members informed so they can stay one step ahead of upcoming changes in legislation. This toolkit is a one-stop-shop for what they need to know now and in the future.” 

Fergus Elias, Director of Wine at Balfour Winery, adds: “The Packaging Toolkit is a well put together document. Thorough, clear, and accessible. There’s enough technical detail to be genuinely useful without tipping into overwhelm. I think producers, especially those earlier in their sustainability journey, will find it helpful.” 

Ends.  

For more information, please contact Phoebe French (phoebe@winegb.co.uk / 07591588328).  

Notes to editors 

WineGB 

Wines of Great Britain (WineGB) is the national association for the English and Welsh wine industry. It represents, leads, and supports the sustainable growth of the Great British wine sector. With over 500 members, it works to cultivate success across the industry. Its work supports its three key areas of activity: to ensure strong production and a skilled workforce, to increase sales and safeguard quality, and to enhance the reputation of English and Welsh wine. 

Five easy steps to sustainability: look for the green grapes 

  1. Insight: stay informed with live policy updates and monthly business-focused news summaries. 
  1. Toolkits: access toolkits with best practices to support your sustainable business strategy.  
  1. Calculate your carbon: use WineGB’s free Carbon Calculator to measure, reduce, and share your environmental impact.  
  1. Benchmark: use WineGB’s annual Impact Report to benchmark yourself against the rest of the industry and gain specific targeted feedback.  
  1. Sustainable Wines of Great Britain: join Sustainable Wines of Great Britain, WineGB’s audited certification. It’s the easiest way to showcase your sustainability action to customers and colleagues.