Lightweight beer bottles

Five UK brewers have adopted lighter glass bottles for their beer brands. With an estimated 500,000 tonnes of glass used each year in the sector, weight reductions can mean a real difference for the environment.

This weight reduction is a result of an initiative by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and Glass Technology Services (GTS) 'GlassRite' to reduce glass packaging in all areas of the drinks sector. GlassRite was launched in January 2007 and will run until March 2008. It is investigating, t hrough trials and research, the technical, economic and practical aspects of lightweighting beer glass containers.

The research so far has shown that most consumers struggle to tell the difference between lightweight bottles and their heavier counterparts. The biggest concern is over issues of fragility and safety, but reducing weight does not significantly reduce sturdiness. Findings also reveal that stressing the environmental benefits of lightweighting can, in fact, be a positive selling point for beer brands.

The following companies have reduced the weight of their bottles: SABMiller (producer of Miller Genuine Draft); Scottish & Newcastle (producer of Strongbow); Marston's; Wells & Young's (producer of Cobra); Frederic Robinson's Ltd; Black Sheep Brewery; and Broughton Ales.

Lightweighting produces savings in energy, carbon emissions and raw materials. The combined efforts of the five brewers have saved 3,800 tonnes of glass and 2,515 tonnes of CO2. This is the equivalent of taking more than 800 cars off the road.