23 Oct

Building an Authentically Sustainable Spirit Brand

As ever, the spirit industry is shifting and evolving to the changing landscape around them. Right now, the industry is navigating to a greener future, planning and actioning change across its entire operation. The immediacy of which is being driven by two parallel forces, the shifting mindset of consumers and developing regulations.

 

Actioning Change in Spirits

The need for change is widely understood by spirit companies, but the ‘how?’ is another matter. Alcohol producers need to be clear in their intentions and ensure real, long-term action is being taken to lessen their environmental footprint.

So, how can you action ‘true’ sustainability in spirit production and distribution from the perspective of a glass packaging manufacturer committed to real change?

The components of sustainable change seep into every aspect of the business, including the materials that are sourced, the production methods, the packaging format, the distribution method, and even the story that is relayed to consumers.

Honing in on the area of packaging, there are several ways in which spirit producers can limit their environmental impact.

 

 

Maximising the Use of Cullet

 To begin with, brands can seek to integrate a higher proportion of cullet into their glass packaging. Cullet refers to recycled glass, either sourced internally from glass that didn’t meet quality control standards or externally from household glass. The introduction of cullet into glass bottles, in particular composing bottles of primarily cullet, offers two major environmental benefits; reducing the use of natural raw materials, including sand, preserving natural resources, and reducing both energy use and CO2 emissions from the melting process. For each additional 10 points of cullet used, furnaces produce 2.5% less CO2.

One of our craft clients, The Secret Garden Distillery, took a strategic approach to sustainability. As part of their sustainability agenda, they looked to minimise their Scope 3 emissions and packaging was a key initiative. The distillery chose to introduce 60% recycled glass into their 700ml bottle. They were so committed to reducing their environmental impact that they altered their recipe to avoid contrasting colours between the bottle and the gin, to complement the tint that naturally comes with recycled glass.

Explore the Case Study

 

Lessening the Impact of the Supply Chain

Beyond the introduction of recycled content, eco-conscious spirit brands can further elevate their sustainable credentials by lightweighting their bottles. Adapting current bottle designs or embracing existing eco-designed bottle ranges can significantly reduce a bottle’s weight. In turn, this leads to significant carbon reductions in the supply chain and limits the amount of material required in the initial production.

In 2019, Verallia set a goal of reducing the average weight of our standard non-returnable bottles and jars by 3% by 2025. Our progress in 2023 means we are well on track to meet this goal, where around a hundred lightweighting projects generated a reduction of 1.3% representing savings of around 6,000 tonnes of glass.

A key definition of actioning sustainable change would be our client, Two Drifters, who are trailblazers in sustainable spirits. They produce handcrafted carbon-negative rum using science, innovation, and passion for both the industry and the environment. As part of their ongoing commitment to remain carbon negative, they sought packaging that would have minimal impact on the environment. Two Drifters switched from a previous supplier to Verallia, as we were able to lighten their bottle weight by 30% and significantly reduce associated transportation CO2 emissions. That’s due to both the weight and distance travelled, as they were now sourcing from a British supplier.

Read the Full Case Study

 

Showcasing a Sustainable Story

Beyond being an integral part of your carbon reduction plan, glass packaging can be a vessel to manifest your brand’s sustainable story. Through bespoke creations or decoration techniques, glass bottles allow you to infuse elements that reflect the environment around them or the commitment you have made.

Isle of Barra blended style with sustainability to showcase their love for their home island. The brand chose to move away from a stock bottle that was made from 100% extra white flint glass to a bespoke bottle containing 60% recycled glass content, with a reduced weight of 17%. In this bottle, they sought a hand-marbling artist that forged a shape echoing the carrageen seaweed found in the North Atlantic Sea that surrounds them. Beyond this, they injected a colour palette that was inspired by the shores to pay homage to the environment around them.

Explore the Full Story

 

Combining Sustainability and Elegance

 If you are aspiring to forge a sustainable spirit, then discover ECOVA.

Inspired by our passion to re-imagine glass packaging for a sustainable future, our experts curated the ECOVA range which fuses together ecology and value. Through quality craftmanship and an innovative approach to eco-design, our range offers the lightest cork mouth bottles available in Europe, weighing just 500g and composed of 60% recycled glass.

Whether you are a start-up distillery embarking on your journey to sustainability or a renowned brand looking to introduce more eco-conscious SKUs, ECOVA is for you.

 

Begin your journey to sustainability today.
 

@GlasgowDistillery are an independent distillery who are unafraid to push boundaries. They are specialists in crafting premium spirits with advanced flavours, creating a unique taste for every type of drinker 🥃

Verallia proudly delivered their premium glass packaging for their signature Glasgow 1770 whisky. A tall, elegant shape with a thick base. This packaging exudes luxury. Beautiful embossing wraps around the body of the bottle for a premium, tactile feel. With the iconic branding embossed on the neck, this packaging conveys opulence.

Thank you for partnering with Verallia to create this exquisite packaging.

#GlassPackaging #Manufacturing #GlassManufacturing #PremiumPackaging #LuxuryPackaging
...

4 0

Welcome 2025 👋

We hope that everyone has had a lovely festive break.

With the festivities over, we are all faced with one pressing matter: our glass-bottle-filled recycling bins.

Recycling glass bottles is essential, especially since UK consumers dispose of 13,350 tonnes of glass over the festive period.

Sustainability is central to Verallia, and so we encourage everyone to make the ‘Walk of No Shame’ to recycling centres, or the top of your driveway to deliver your glass bottles.

#Sustainability #GlassBottle #Recycling #Recycle #WasteReduction
...

8 0

With Lancashire roots, @BrindleDistillery are experts in creating dynamic flavours, bringing out the best from classic spirits. They specialise in distilling luxury spirits using fresh ingredients grown on their family farm.

To showcase their range of ready-to-drink cocktails, @BrindleDistillery partnered with Verallia for their premium packaging. Encasing their quality cocktails is the ‘Terra’ bottle from our ECOVA range. Designed with sustainability in mind, this range is made up of some of the lightest cork mouth bottles in Europe. Each edition is composed of 50% recycled glass and weighs just 500g.

This bottle demands attention with its contemporary shape, elegant silhouette, and shorter neck. Paired with a bespoke label and distinctive wax seal, this opulent bottle stands out on the shelves.

Thank you @BrindleDistillery for sharing our dedication to sustainability, without compromising on style. A beautifully executed project! 👏

#RTD #Cocktail #GlassManufacture #GlassBottle #GlassPackaging #LuxuryPackaging #Sustainability
...

4 0

Creating quality in every drop 💧

@dropworks.distillery are a science-first distillery, dedicated to using the finest ingredients to change the face of rum. Nestled in the heart of Britain, they take pride in having a team of experts to guide their impressive distilling process.

Verallia are proud to have partnered with DropWorks Distillery to create their premium glass packaging. For this project, the client chose our elegant ‘Patet’ bottle from our sustainable ECOVA range, reflecting their innovative values and our dedication to sustainability. Composed of over 50% post-consumer recycled glass, we crafted an elongated bottle, with a shorter neck for a luxurious feel.

Thank you @dropworks.distillery for allowing us to elevate your glass packaging. 🥃

#PremiumPackaging #GlassPackaging #SpiritSector #SustainablePackaging #SpiritBrand
...

10 0

18th of November marks International Poitin Day.

Poitin is a traditional Irish spirit, typically distilled between 40%-70% ABV that dates back to 1st Century AD. Historically the spirit was outlawed in Ireland as a result of taxation in 1661, but more recently has had a revival, being legalised in 1997.

Poitin carries an abundance of Irish heritage, being made with native ingredients such as barley, potatoes, and oats. Today Poitin is quickly gaining popularity, as it’s exported across countries, telling its story across borders.

Embodying Irish craftsmanship, @DrinkMadMarchHare_ celebrates heritage in every bottle. They expertly produce smooth, authentic poitin, encompassed in a decadent glass bottle created by Verallia.

Today marks an artistry that is often described as ‘fiercely Irish’.

Happy International Poitin Day, sláinte!

#Poitin #InternationalPoitinDay #SpiritSector #IrishSpirits
...

3 0

We are winners! 🥇

Three of our decadent glass bottles were shortlisted for Glass Pack of the Year at the UK Packaging Awards.

We are proud to announce, that after dominating the category with three bottles shortlisted, Verallia are the winners of Glass Pack of the Year, for @secretgardendistillery's botanical gin bottle! 👏

The judges were complimentary of the use of recycled glass in this premium bottle, a sustainable alternative to traditional white flint. We are dedicated to sustainability, and this award recognises that our expertise can create packaging that exudes opulence whilst being sustainable.

We also received commendation on our ‘Classic Laddie’ bottle, created for @bruichladdich. Another excellent example of sustainability hand-in-hand with sophistication, as they opted for a 34.47 % reduced-weight bottle.

Well done to our talented team for crafting award-winning glass packaging that fuse sustainability and style!

#Award #Winner #AwardWin #GlassPackaging #Sustainability #UKPackagingAwards2024
...

16 2

Follow Us

@GlasgowDistillery are an independent distillery who are unafraid to push boundaries. They are specialists in crafting premium spirits with advanced flavours, creating a unique taste for every type of drinker 🥃

Verallia proudly delivered their premium glass packaging for their signature Glasgow 1770 whisky. A tall, elegant shape with a thick base. This packaging exudes luxury. Beautiful embossing wraps around the body of the bottle for a premium, tactile feel. With the iconic branding embossed on the neck, this packaging conveys opulence.

Thank you for partnering with Verallia to create this exquisite packaging.

#GlassPackaging #Manufacturing #GlassManufacturing #PremiumPackaging #LuxuryPackaging
...

4 0

Welcome 2025 👋

We hope that everyone has had a lovely festive break.

With the festivities over, we are all faced with one pressing matter: our glass-bottle-filled recycling bins.

Recycling glass bottles is essential, especially since UK consumers dispose of 13,350 tonnes of glass over the festive period.

Sustainability is central to Verallia, and so we encourage everyone to make the ‘Walk of No Shame’ to recycling centres, or the top of your driveway to deliver your glass bottles.

#Sustainability #GlassBottle #Recycling #Recycle #WasteReduction
...

8 0

With Lancashire roots, @BrindleDistillery are experts in creating dynamic flavours, bringing out the best from classic spirits. They specialise in distilling luxury spirits using fresh ingredients grown on their family farm.

To showcase their range of ready-to-drink cocktails, @BrindleDistillery partnered with Verallia for their premium packaging. Encasing their quality cocktails is the ‘Terra’ bottle from our ECOVA range. Designed with sustainability in mind, this range is made up of some of the lightest cork mouth bottles in Europe. Each edition is composed of 50% recycled glass and weighs just 500g.

This bottle demands attention with its contemporary shape, elegant silhouette, and shorter neck. Paired with a bespoke label and distinctive wax seal, this opulent bottle stands out on the shelves.

Thank you @BrindleDistillery for sharing our dedication to sustainability, without compromising on style. A beautifully executed project! 👏

#RTD #Cocktail #GlassManufacture #GlassBottle #GlassPackaging #LuxuryPackaging #Sustainability
...

4 0

Creating quality in every drop 💧

@dropworks.distillery are a science-first distillery, dedicated to using the finest ingredients to change the face of rum. Nestled in the heart of Britain, they take pride in having a team of experts to guide their impressive distilling process.

Verallia are proud to have partnered with DropWorks Distillery to create their premium glass packaging. For this project, the client chose our elegant ‘Patet’ bottle from our sustainable ECOVA range, reflecting their innovative values and our dedication to sustainability. Composed of over 50% post-consumer recycled glass, we crafted an elongated bottle, with a shorter neck for a luxurious feel.

Thank you @dropworks.distillery for allowing us to elevate your glass packaging. 🥃

#PremiumPackaging #GlassPackaging #SpiritSector #SustainablePackaging #SpiritBrand
...

10 0

18th of November marks International Poitin Day.

Poitin is a traditional Irish spirit, typically distilled between 40%-70% ABV that dates back to 1st Century AD. Historically the spirit was outlawed in Ireland as a result of taxation in 1661, but more recently has had a revival, being legalised in 1997.

Poitin carries an abundance of Irish heritage, being made with native ingredients such as barley, potatoes, and oats. Today Poitin is quickly gaining popularity, as it’s exported across countries, telling its story across borders.

Embodying Irish craftsmanship, @DrinkMadMarchHare_ celebrates heritage in every bottle. They expertly produce smooth, authentic poitin, encompassed in a decadent glass bottle created by Verallia.

Today marks an artistry that is often described as ‘fiercely Irish’.

Happy International Poitin Day, sláinte!

#Poitin #InternationalPoitinDay #SpiritSector #IrishSpirits
...

3 0

We are winners! 🥇

Three of our decadent glass bottles were shortlisted for Glass Pack of the Year at the UK Packaging Awards.

We are proud to announce, that after dominating the category with three bottles shortlisted, Verallia are the winners of Glass Pack of the Year, for @secretgardendistillery's botanical gin bottle! 👏

The judges were complimentary of the use of recycled glass in this premium bottle, a sustainable alternative to traditional white flint. We are dedicated to sustainability, and this award recognises that our expertise can create packaging that exudes opulence whilst being sustainable.

We also received commendation on our ‘Classic Laddie’ bottle, created for @bruichladdich. Another excellent example of sustainability hand-in-hand with sophistication, as they opted for a 34.47 % reduced-weight bottle.

Well done to our talented team for crafting award-winning glass packaging that fuse sustainability and style!

#Award #Winner #AwardWin #GlassPackaging #Sustainability #UKPackagingAwards2024
...

16 2

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