12 Dec

Appealing to the Ethical Drinker

Whilst quality of ingredients, taste, and price remain priorities in purchasing decisions, there is another factor that is high on the agenda: ethics. Consumers are increasingly concerned with the practices that led to their favourite tipple reaching the shelf. As awareness of social and environmental concerns spreads amongst consumers, they have a greater understanding of the impact their choices have. And, as a ripple effect, they are choosing spirit brands that adopt greener practices and maintain strong ethical standards.

 

Ethical Consumption

Ethics, in terms of business, is an all-encompassing approach that ensures a company is governed by strong moral principles, whether that be ensuring the wellbeing of the people it employs or adopting greener practices to limit their environmental impact. In a survey conducted by YouGov, they explored the top ethical concerns for shoppers in the UK, finding animal welfare, recyclability of packaging, and amount of packaging being the top 3 concerns retrospectively.

37% of consumers stated that recyclability of packaging was ‘a lot’ of a concern when shopping. In particular, when asked how environmental sustainability affects purchase decisions, 32% of all adults stated that it would impact them a ‘fair amount’ and this figure jumps to 39% when specifically looking at the 18-24 age group category. When looking at the wider market globally, it can be seen that consumers across the majority of regions would be willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products.

Showcase your Sustainable Story

We anticipate the ethical consumer values to remain and even grow amongst those that may not prioritise yet, it is vital that spirit brands appeal to these ethical drinkers that comprise a large proportion of the market.

Consumers are looking to purchase from spirit brands that have demonstrated a true commitment to sustainability, such as a granular ESG report. The Footprint Drinks ESG Trends Report 2023 showed that 59% of consumers consider a brand’s green credentials when choosing what drink to buy. In the 2024 Verallia Trends Report, four major trends were observed, and ‘the return of ethics and sustainability’ was a primary focus, with brands embracing packaging simplicity, and dedicated to recycling and reuse circuits.

However, a key element of influencing buying behaviour through your sustainable commitment is being forthcoming with your story. A drinks consumer who desires to make conscious buying decisions needs insight into a brand’s ethical and sustainable practices. Packaging is a vital medium to convey a story, especially when it is the consumer’s first interaction with a brand. The bottle and label can act as the book to inscribe your sustainable story.

 

Tangible Sustainability in Glass Packaging

Consumers across the board are becoming more informed on sustainability, and with this can easily identify greenwashing claims. They want authentic and transparent ethical evidence.

For this, brands should look to partner and comply with certified sustainable auditors, certifications, and commitments. These organisations have built a reputation of only partnering with companies that are committed to real change, demonstrating clear action that is lessening their environmental impact.  Think of the likes of B-Corp, Living Wage Employer, or 1% for the Planet. These are recognisable to consumers and give an instantons positive reflection on your spirit brand.

On the theme of transparency, consumers seek tangibility in a spirit brands sustainable commitment as it helps to solidify the actions that have been taken. Taking an eco-centric approach to your bottle design can instantaneously demonstrate sustainable action. Take for example a bottle that contains high percentages of recycled glass, it naturally brings with it an off-white hue compared to the white flint counterpart, which signifies your prioritisation of recycling materials rather than drawing more raw materials from the environment.

 

Showcasing a Sustainable Ethos

The Isle of Barra is the most westerly distillery in Scotland, and they are a perfect example of how you can demonstrate sustainability in your glass packaging. Their ambition was to reflect their love for the local environment in their glass packaging. A hand-marbling artist used the signature botanical carrageen seaweed to develop a mould that reflected their shores on the Atlantic Ocean which was adapted into an exquisite glass bottle by the Verallia team.

Aside from their aesthetic paying homage to the local environment, the development of the bottle respected the planet through their eco-conscious choices. They opted for the inclusion of 50% recycled glass and lightened the bottle by 17% to minimise the use of raw materials. Furthermore, sourcing from a UK supplier meant their bottles were produced 383 miles closer than their previous supplier.

 

What is Premium Glass Packaging?

The perception of premium is changing, shifting to one that is more values-based. In the past, heavy white flint bottles would have been indicative of premium, but today they portray a different story, one of wastefulness.

For many of our forward-thinking clients looking to adopt premium, sustainable packing we are prioritising eco-design that lightweights the bottle but infuses decorative techniques to enhance the aesthetic as a form of ‘new premium’.  Reducing the weight of a bottle reduces CO2 emissions along the entire value chain. As a business, we have set a goal to reduce the average weight of our standard bottles and jars by 3% by 2025. Whilst the bottles have a premium aesthetic, we have endeavoured to produce eco-centric designs that are cost-effective to spirit producers, which is exemplified in our innovative ECOVA Range.

Consumer prioritisation of ethical purchases continues to grow, and the market is responding to this by intertwining sustainability into internal practices and external stories. As we know, the road to sustainability is not a singular one, but rather a collaborative effort across the spirit industry.

 

To discover how your glass packaging can showcase sustainability to ethically-conscious consumers, speak to our experts.

Crafted to reflect the rich flavour profiles of countries like Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, @WeAreTarsier distils versatile gins that elevate every cocktail 🍸

We’re proud to have brought their vision to life through a truly distinctive bottle.

Made with 58% recycled cullet, the black glass perfectly compliments the complex embossing covering the bottle.

Paying homage to the gin’s Asian influence, the design features embossed bamboo and delicate leaves, the perfect habitat for the Philippine Tarsier - a small primate native to the region. As a remarkable detail, the creature’s eyes glow in the dark, bringing the design to life.

This is packaging with purpose and character, and we’re thrilled to have created this for Tarsier.

#Gin #AsianFlavours #GlassPackaging #Sustainable #Cullet #Spirit
...

9 1

52% recycled glass
100g lighter weight
31% lighter stopper

Hepple Spirits Co set out to create sustainable elegance through their new edition bottle. Inspired by nature, the bottle features flowing lines, beautifully embossed. The bottle’s unique shape is an oloid, symbolising the fusion of nature and innovation.

#BottleDesign #GlassPackaging #GlassBottle #GinBottle #Cullet #RecycledGlass
...

10 0

Looking for timeless, sustainable glass packaging that delivers on both style and substance? 🔍

Meet ECOVA, our signature sustainable range, crafted with purpose and pride.

Designed to suit every spirit, ECOVA features five classic bottle shapes that:

♻️ Weigh just 500g
♻️ Are made primarily from recycled cullet
♻️ Feature optimised designs to reduce excess packaging

Created as an accessible way for brands to go greener, ECOVA helps you showcase your spirit with integrity.

Explore the full collection by visiting the link in our bio!

#ECOVA #Packaging #Sustainable #Sustainability #GlassPackaging
...

10 0

Celebrating World Gin Day!

We are proud to craft packaging that exudes excellence for the gin sector. From contemporary, dynamic brands to traditional heritage distilleries, Verallia continues to partner with some of the most exciting gin brands globally.

We raise a glass to gin and all the fantastic people that make it so exciting!

#GinDay #WorldGinDay #GlassBottle #GlassPackaging #Sustainable
...

8 0

We are thrilled to welcome an incredible line up of speakers for this year’s Distillers Forum 👏

Our handpicked experts will be delivering expert knowledge, covering each element of the spirit sector. From the latest trends to insights that will push the industry forward over the next year, you’ll learn from industry heavyweights about skyrocketing your brand’s potential.

We’ll be hearing from:

Jennifer Newell
Alex Oldroyd
Garett Pitcher
Chris Pitcher
Claire Warner
Olivier Ward
Ciaran McNicholas

It’ll be a day of inspiring stories, stimulating conversation and a chance to forge groundbreaking partnerships! Register your interest through the link in our bio!

#Verallia #GlassBottle #Event #GlassSector #SpiritSector #Spirits #Distillers #DistillersForum
...

15 0

A taste of Mexico, refined in Yorkshire. 🇲🇽🏴

Pico Tequilana Blanco by Double Six Drinks blends agave heritage with bold innovation. Bottled in our elegant Caeli bottle from the ECOVA collection, made with 58% recycled glass, this spirit is a celebration of conscious design.

Finished with a standout custom label, it’s a perfect fusion of sustainability and style. Here's to reimagining tequila, the Yorkshire way. ¡Salud!

#Innovation #Sustainability #RecycledGlass #Tequila #YorkshireDistillery
...

6 0

13th May marks World Cocktail Day 🍸

We’re proud to support the cocktail world with glass packaging that brings every serve to life, from timeless classics to bold, modern creations.

To elevate your cocktail brand’s packaging, contact our team today, link in our bio 🔗

#WorldCocktailDay #Cocktail #Drinks #GlassPackaging #Packaging
...

2 0

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Crafted to reflect the rich flavour profiles of countries like Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, @WeAreTarsier distils versatile gins that elevate every cocktail 🍸

We’re proud to have brought their vision to life through a truly distinctive bottle.

Made with 58% recycled cullet, the black glass perfectly compliments the complex embossing covering the bottle.

Paying homage to the gin’s Asian influence, the design features embossed bamboo and delicate leaves, the perfect habitat for the Philippine Tarsier - a small primate native to the region. As a remarkable detail, the creature’s eyes glow in the dark, bringing the design to life.

This is packaging with purpose and character, and we’re thrilled to have created this for Tarsier.

#Gin #AsianFlavours #GlassPackaging #Sustainable #Cullet #Spirit
...

9 1

52% recycled glass
100g lighter weight
31% lighter stopper

Hepple Spirits Co set out to create sustainable elegance through their new edition bottle. Inspired by nature, the bottle features flowing lines, beautifully embossed. The bottle’s unique shape is an oloid, symbolising the fusion of nature and innovation.

#BottleDesign #GlassPackaging #GlassBottle #GinBottle #Cullet #RecycledGlass
...

10 0

Looking for timeless, sustainable glass packaging that delivers on both style and substance? 🔍

Meet ECOVA, our signature sustainable range, crafted with purpose and pride.

Designed to suit every spirit, ECOVA features five classic bottle shapes that:

♻️ Weigh just 500g
♻️ Are made primarily from recycled cullet
♻️ Feature optimised designs to reduce excess packaging

Created as an accessible way for brands to go greener, ECOVA helps you showcase your spirit with integrity.

Explore the full collection by visiting the link in our bio!

#ECOVA #Packaging #Sustainable #Sustainability #GlassPackaging
...

10 0

Celebrating World Gin Day!

We are proud to craft packaging that exudes excellence for the gin sector. From contemporary, dynamic brands to traditional heritage distilleries, Verallia continues to partner with some of the most exciting gin brands globally.

We raise a glass to gin and all the fantastic people that make it so exciting!

#GinDay #WorldGinDay #GlassBottle #GlassPackaging #Sustainable
...

8 0

We are thrilled to welcome an incredible line up of speakers for this year’s Distillers Forum 👏

Our handpicked experts will be delivering expert knowledge, covering each element of the spirit sector. From the latest trends to insights that will push the industry forward over the next year, you’ll learn from industry heavyweights about skyrocketing your brand’s potential.

We’ll be hearing from:

Jennifer Newell
Alex Oldroyd
Garett Pitcher
Chris Pitcher
Claire Warner
Olivier Ward
Ciaran McNicholas

It’ll be a day of inspiring stories, stimulating conversation and a chance to forge groundbreaking partnerships! Register your interest through the link in our bio!

#Verallia #GlassBottle #Event #GlassSector #SpiritSector #Spirits #Distillers #DistillersForum
...

15 0

A taste of Mexico, refined in Yorkshire. 🇲🇽🏴

Pico Tequilana Blanco by Double Six Drinks blends agave heritage with bold innovation. Bottled in our elegant Caeli bottle from the ECOVA collection, made with 58% recycled glass, this spirit is a celebration of conscious design.

Finished with a standout custom label, it’s a perfect fusion of sustainability and style. Here's to reimagining tequila, the Yorkshire way. ¡Salud!

#Innovation #Sustainability #RecycledGlass #Tequila #YorkshireDistillery
...

6 0

13th May marks World Cocktail Day 🍸

We’re proud to support the cocktail world with glass packaging that brings every serve to life, from timeless classics to bold, modern creations.

To elevate your cocktail brand’s packaging, contact our team today, link in our bio 🔗

#WorldCocktailDay #Cocktail #Drinks #GlassPackaging #Packaging
...

2 0

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