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.
 

Happy International Whisky Day! 🥃

A day to celebrate the craft of distilling one of the world’s most beloved spirits. Whisky has truly carved a place for itself as a staple in the spirit sector. The base of iconic cocktails, a strong contender when drank alone, this spirit is one of the greats.

With a strong Yorkshire heritage @WhittakersDistillery creates high-quality, artisanal whisky, bottling the abundant landscape found in the region. They’ve created the first ever single malt produced in the Yorkshire Dales.

For their unique, quality spirit, they partnered with us to deliver their high-end glass packaging. A classic shape, beautifully showcasing their unique whisky. The bottle features the emblem, ‘W’ embossed on the neck, as well as ‘Whittaker’ embossed around the base of the bottle.

Celebrating an exquisite spirit, and a Yorkshire icon, cheers to International Whisky Day! 🥃

#Whisky #InternationalWhiskyDay #Yorkshire #WestYorkshire #WhiskyDistillers #GlassBottle
...

5 0

Pioneers in the spirit sector, @BurntFaith is the UK’s first brandy house. Inspired by passion shown in the Cognac region of France, they sought to unlock the real potential of brandy.

Housed in their bespoke bottle, their latest collaboration with the @EastLondonLiquor Company and @TheOrchardProject not only looks great, but is for a great cause.

In the spirit of keeping the legacy alive, Burnt Faith will be donating all the proceeds from this brandy to @TheOrchardProject, dedicated to restoring community orchards.

#Brandy #BurntFaith #Spirit #SpiritSector #PremiumPackaging #GlassPackaging
...

8 1

Making Aberdeenshire history, @EskerSpirits is the first craft distillery in the region.

They are specialists in enhancing classic spirits with fruit flavours, perfect for cocktails and pairing beautifully with mixers. To give their spirits a unique edge, they infuse silver birch sap to deliver a distinctive, silky texture.

Esker Spirits partnered with Verallia for their standout packaging, choosing a supplier who shares their passion for sustainability. Their spirit is showcased in our ‘Patet’ bottle from our ECOVA range, and finished with a frosted spray and white ‘ESKER’ print they have made the bottle their own.

Tall, slender, and sustainable, the Patet is a truly elegant glass bottle. Composed of over 50% cullet and weighing just 500g, the Patet reflects commitment to sustainability.

An excellent choice for an opulent spirit!

#SpiritSector #PremiumPackaging #GlassPackaging #GlassBottle #Glass #Sustainability
...

4 0

‘Passionate about glass. Inspired by you.'

On International Women’s Day, we recognise the innovation, determination, and passion our female employees bring to our team.

Verallia aims to have 35% of women in managerial positions by the end of 2025. We are proud of our commitment to becoming a reference employer for women and have taken action to set objectives for greater gender parity in our organisation.

“Verallia launched their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Charter in late 2024 which details their commitment to DE&I which includes becoming a reference employer for women, offering equal opportunities and fighting against all forms of discrimination all of which are integral to accelerating gender equality. As we move forward in this journey, we seek to share knowledge and learning opportunities at all levels of the organisation in order to ensure that inclusion is considered not just in the workplace, but in society as a whole.”
-Emma Griffiths, Occupational Health & Well-Being Partner, Verallia UK

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025! 🙌

#IWD #InternationalWomen’sDay2025 #InternationalWomen’sDay #Diversity’
...

9 0

March begins by marking International Irish Whiskey Day. A true celebration of Ireland's heritage, abundance of landscapes, and pioneering whiskey.

Founded by Stuart McNamara, International Irish Whiskey Day is celebrated two weeks before St. Patrick's Day, and honours the culture and science behind this unique craft.

Today, Irish whiskey is a beloved spirit, celebrated across the globe. The spirit is enjoyed for its unique, smooth and light taste, giving it pride of place on any bar.

Let’s raise a glass to a true Irish art from! 🥃

#InternationalIrishWhiskeyDay #IrishWhiskey #Spirit #SpiritSector #Ireland #GlassPackaging
...

6 0

@IsleofBarraDistillers are true innovators in the gin sector, bottling up Scottish botanicals. However, tapping into their Scottish heritage, they have released their exclusive Blended Whiskies 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥃

Verallia produced their decadent packaging to reflect their coastal heritage. The bottle’s beautiful textured glass is designed to mirror the Atlantic Ocean.

Composed of over 50% cullet, their bottle weighs 17% less than their previous edition, successfully reducing their carbon impact.

#Whisky #GlassPackaging #Glass #PremiumPackaging #Recycled
...

8 0

Making waves in the No-Lo scene, @WavelengthDrinks is creating a refined taste experience for non-drinkers.

Carefully crafted in Cornwall, Wavelength Drinks dedicate 4-6 weeks to a quality production process, before their liquid is double fermented for 30 days. Their thorough process unlocks a unique flavour, standing out among competitors.

A premium spirit requires premium packaging. Which is why Wavelength Drinks partnered with Verallia for their Amber Digestif bottle. Chosen from our Selective Line, our ‘Hayyan’ bottle stands strong as the ideal vessel. A simplistic shape that showcases this spirit with ease.

Looking for versatile, high-quality packaging? Discover our Selective Line today, in the link in our bio 🔗

#GlassPackaging #GlassBottle #Glass #PremiumPackaging #NoLo
...

2 0

A cut above the rest.

Our Selective Line is a reflection of our years of experience designing stunning bottles for every spirit. This collection offers a sleek, premium appearance to suit any luxury spirit. We have a wide range of elegant shapes, the perfect vessel to showcase your premium product.

@EdenMill chose the ‘Lax’ bottle from our Selective Line to display their spirit: The Guard Bridge. Encasing the whisky, the Lax is a timeless, square-shaped bottle with rounded corners for a seamless feel. Deserving of centre stage on any busy bar shelf, this is a bottle made to stand out.

Whether you’re a No-Lo brand looking to make a bold statement, or a whisky specialist aiming to reflect your heritage through your packaging, our Selective Line has the packaging for you.

Explore the full selection. in the link in our bio 🔗

#PremiumGlassPackaging #PremiumPackaging #Glass #Bottle #GlassBottle
...

5 0

Follow Us

Happy International Whisky Day! 🥃

A day to celebrate the craft of distilling one of the world’s most beloved spirits. Whisky has truly carved a place for itself as a staple in the spirit sector. The base of iconic cocktails, a strong contender when drank alone, this spirit is one of the greats.

With a strong Yorkshire heritage @WhittakersDistillery creates high-quality, artisanal whisky, bottling the abundant landscape found in the region. They’ve created the first ever single malt produced in the Yorkshire Dales.

For their unique, quality spirit, they partnered with us to deliver their high-end glass packaging. A classic shape, beautifully showcasing their unique whisky. The bottle features the emblem, ‘W’ embossed on the neck, as well as ‘Whittaker’ embossed around the base of the bottle.

Celebrating an exquisite spirit, and a Yorkshire icon, cheers to International Whisky Day! 🥃

#Whisky #InternationalWhiskyDay #Yorkshire #WestYorkshire #WhiskyDistillers #GlassBottle
...

5 0

Pioneers in the spirit sector, @BurntFaith is the UK’s first brandy house. Inspired by passion shown in the Cognac region of France, they sought to unlock the real potential of brandy.

Housed in their bespoke bottle, their latest collaboration with the @EastLondonLiquor Company and @TheOrchardProject not only looks great, but is for a great cause.

In the spirit of keeping the legacy alive, Burnt Faith will be donating all the proceeds from this brandy to @TheOrchardProject, dedicated to restoring community orchards.

#Brandy #BurntFaith #Spirit #SpiritSector #PremiumPackaging #GlassPackaging
...

8 1

Making Aberdeenshire history, @EskerSpirits is the first craft distillery in the region.

They are specialists in enhancing classic spirits with fruit flavours, perfect for cocktails and pairing beautifully with mixers. To give their spirits a unique edge, they infuse silver birch sap to deliver a distinctive, silky texture.

Esker Spirits partnered with Verallia for their standout packaging, choosing a supplier who shares their passion for sustainability. Their spirit is showcased in our ‘Patet’ bottle from our ECOVA range, and finished with a frosted spray and white ‘ESKER’ print they have made the bottle their own.

Tall, slender, and sustainable, the Patet is a truly elegant glass bottle. Composed of over 50% cullet and weighing just 500g, the Patet reflects commitment to sustainability.

An excellent choice for an opulent spirit!

#SpiritSector #PremiumPackaging #GlassPackaging #GlassBottle #Glass #Sustainability
...

4 0

‘Passionate about glass. Inspired by you.'

On International Women’s Day, we recognise the innovation, determination, and passion our female employees bring to our team.

Verallia aims to have 35% of women in managerial positions by the end of 2025. We are proud of our commitment to becoming a reference employer for women and have taken action to set objectives for greater gender parity in our organisation.

“Verallia launched their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Charter in late 2024 which details their commitment to DE&I which includes becoming a reference employer for women, offering equal opportunities and fighting against all forms of discrimination all of which are integral to accelerating gender equality. As we move forward in this journey, we seek to share knowledge and learning opportunities at all levels of the organisation in order to ensure that inclusion is considered not just in the workplace, but in society as a whole.”
-Emma Griffiths, Occupational Health & Well-Being Partner, Verallia UK

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025! 🙌

#IWD #InternationalWomen’sDay2025 #InternationalWomen’sDay #Diversity’
...

9 0

March begins by marking International Irish Whiskey Day. A true celebration of Ireland's heritage, abundance of landscapes, and pioneering whiskey.

Founded by Stuart McNamara, International Irish Whiskey Day is celebrated two weeks before St. Patrick's Day, and honours the culture and science behind this unique craft.

Today, Irish whiskey is a beloved spirit, celebrated across the globe. The spirit is enjoyed for its unique, smooth and light taste, giving it pride of place on any bar.

Let’s raise a glass to a true Irish art from! 🥃

#InternationalIrishWhiskeyDay #IrishWhiskey #Spirit #SpiritSector #Ireland #GlassPackaging
...

6 0

@IsleofBarraDistillers are true innovators in the gin sector, bottling up Scottish botanicals. However, tapping into their Scottish heritage, they have released their exclusive Blended Whiskies 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥃

Verallia produced their decadent packaging to reflect their coastal heritage. The bottle’s beautiful textured glass is designed to mirror the Atlantic Ocean.

Composed of over 50% cullet, their bottle weighs 17% less than their previous edition, successfully reducing their carbon impact.

#Whisky #GlassPackaging #Glass #PremiumPackaging #Recycled
...

8 0

Making waves in the No-Lo scene, @WavelengthDrinks is creating a refined taste experience for non-drinkers.

Carefully crafted in Cornwall, Wavelength Drinks dedicate 4-6 weeks to a quality production process, before their liquid is double fermented for 30 days. Their thorough process unlocks a unique flavour, standing out among competitors.

A premium spirit requires premium packaging. Which is why Wavelength Drinks partnered with Verallia for their Amber Digestif bottle. Chosen from our Selective Line, our ‘Hayyan’ bottle stands strong as the ideal vessel. A simplistic shape that showcases this spirit with ease.

Looking for versatile, high-quality packaging? Discover our Selective Line today, in the link in our bio 🔗

#GlassPackaging #GlassBottle #Glass #PremiumPackaging #NoLo
...

2 0

A cut above the rest.

Our Selective Line is a reflection of our years of experience designing stunning bottles for every spirit. This collection offers a sleek, premium appearance to suit any luxury spirit. We have a wide range of elegant shapes, the perfect vessel to showcase your premium product.

@EdenMill chose the ‘Lax’ bottle from our Selective Line to display their spirit: The Guard Bridge. Encasing the whisky, the Lax is a timeless, square-shaped bottle with rounded corners for a seamless feel. Deserving of centre stage on any busy bar shelf, this is a bottle made to stand out.

Whether you’re a No-Lo brand looking to make a bold statement, or a whisky specialist aiming to reflect your heritage through your packaging, our Selective Line has the packaging for you.

Explore the full selection. in the link in our bio 🔗

#PremiumGlassPackaging #PremiumPackaging #Glass #Bottle #GlassBottle
...

5 0

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