The Impact of Eco Glass Packaging on Brand Performance

Sustainability has been one of the most talked about topics in the spirit sector, with higher rates of consumers demanding greener products. Sustainable packaging has been increasingly implemented across different varieties of spirits, providing consumers with a new wave of improved packaging.

Whilst sustainable packaging has environmental benefits, positioning it as a part of your brand and ethos certainly shifts consumer perceptions. 86% of consumers under 45 are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging, and 57% are less likely to purchase products packaged in harmful materials.

But what happens when brands make the effort to incorporate sustainable change? Can we rely on consumers to be on board? We are providing insight into how creating greener glass packaging elevated the sales performance of our valued clients.

The Secret’s Out: Sustainability is In.

The Secret Garden Distillery is an artisanal distillery based in Scotland, creating luxury gins using botanicals and herbs, picked from their idyllic garden. They specialise in creating a distinctive flavour, harnessing the natural botanicals of Scotland’s fertile woodlands. Founders and sisters, Isobel and Imogen Armstrong partnered with Verallia to reimagine their bottle, to reflect their sustainable ethos for their exquisite gin range.

 

 

Our experts crafted a bottle that was breath-taking in style but had sustainable credentials well above industry standard. The new bottle is composed of a high % of recycled glass and the sustainable packaging is significantly more lightweight than its counterpart, reducing carbon emissions during transportation. The bottle was designed to pay homage to the botanicals at the root of the spirit, with a circular window featuring stems of juniper as the packaging’s centrepiece.

Implementing new, sustainable glass packaging has taken The Secret Garden Distillery to new heights.

“There were a lot of customers we were struggling to engage with prior to the new glass, or they liked the gin, but the bottles were just not rotating in the store. Since launching the new bottle those same customers have reengaged with the brand and are already reordering the product. We experienced an initial uplift in sales which is great, but seeing the reorders is the most valuable measure of performance.” -Isobel Armstrong, Founder.

 

The artistic, sustainable glass packaging has had an incredible reception, winning multiple awards! These include two gold medals at the Design & Packaging Masters, by The Spirits Business and Glass Pack of the Year at the UK Packaging Awards!

Sustainable Packaging Excellence: Two Drifters

True sustainable visionaries, Two Drifters Distillery proudly produce the world’s first carbon negative rum. Embodying sustainability in each step, they work to reduce their environmental impact with their innovative electric distillery, use of electric vehicles for transport, and sustainable bottle design.

Our team of expert craftsmen worked to breathe life into their sustainable vision. They approached Verallia with a vision of a fresh, vibrant bottle, designed to appeal to those consumers that value sustainability.

For a versatile design, they selected our Blackwell premium bottle. With a significant 30% reduction in weight compared to their previous bottle, the lightweight bottle produces less carbon in manufacturing and transport. Its slender silhouette is poised to beautifully showcase their rum, making this bottle a standout on the shelves. The sustainable glass packaging is paired with vibrant labels, made from sugarcane fibre which is renewable, biodegradable, and compostable.

Reflecting their sustainable ethos in their packaging has evidently enhanced their performance. In a brief amount of time, Two Drifters have earned a loyal customer base, established prestigious accounts, and built a reputation for sustainability. The carbon negative rum has also been recognised for their sustainable values, such as the IWSC 2023 Green Spirit Initiative Trophy.

“Verallia was a delight to work with. People have absolutely loved the new bottles. Because of our new bottles and branding, we now have placement in stores like Harvey Nichols and other key accounts.”

A Sustainable Tribute to the Atlantic Ocean

Bottling the flavours of the Scottish coast, Isle of Barra Distillery looks to pay homage to their home on the Isle of Barra, and the nature present. Sustainably sourcing natural botanicals from the Atlantic Ocean, the gin is crafted with a truly unique flavour, reflecting the story of the island itself.

Valuing the environment, passionate about sustainability, and determined to make a change, Isle of Barra Distillery collaborated with our team to deliver their new edition packaging. We reimagined their packaging, creating sustainable excellence. Their new sustainable glass packaging is composed of 51% recycled cullet and features a marbled pattern with a delicate blue tint designed to mirror the ocean.

 

“This isn’t just a new bottle or a new marketing strategy. This is the positive change that we have wanted to do for some time.” – Michael Morrison, Managing Director/Head Distiller

The attention to detail, its sustainable change makes this packaging a cut above the rest. As a result of their decision to switch to eco-friendly glass packaging, they have enjoyed great success. The new bottle has been recognised for numerous awards such as the Glass Focus Awards by British Glass, securing the prize for Design of the Year. In addition, Isle of Barra Distillery were winners of the Excellence in Packaging Award at the Scottish Gin Awards 2023.

Keeping It Clean and Green

The rise of conscious consumption has been creating shifts in the spirit sector, with modern consumers prioritising wellness and health. CleanCo craft non-alcoholic spirits that stand shoulder to shoulder with their alcoholic counterparts. They are committed to delivering uncompromised flavour, providing the taste and social experience of an alcoholic beverage without compromising on health or wellness.

Reflecting their ethos through their packaging, our team produced the new packaging for CleanCo. Partnering with an experienced glassmaker who shared their passion for sustainability ensured the end result was nothing short of showstopping. For this project, we delivered a lighter glass bottle, reducing their glass weight by 26% compared to their previous bottle. In addition to the weight, the optimised shape ensured efficient packing so that CleanCo’s carbon footprint in transport can be reduced by 12,000 miles annually.

Implementing sustainable glass packaging that aligns with their ethos and conveys authenticity to their consumers has taken the brand from strength to strength! CleanCo experienced a 38% increase in their US sales in 2025, alongside excelling in UK supermarkets. They experienced a 40% growth in Tesco in December as well as 103% growth on Ocado.

We are proud to produce award-winning, sustainable glass packaging that makes a difference. Contact our team to implement greener change into your s