4 Great Sustainable Solutions for Alcohol Packaging

Companies are shifting to more sustainable and eco-friendly packaging. Whether it is for rigid, flexible, or even spirits packaging, they are doing so because consumers are becoming extremely conscious and aware of the environment.

As this dynamic continues, new solutions are being thought of to answer the need, and calls of the public. Besides, this has already become part of the competition in the market, considering that brands and labels now know its positive impact in terms of their company’s and product’s image before their audience.

The same principles and events apply to alcohol companies today. So, if you are in this sector, and you are looking for effective solutions to integrate sustainability into your packaging, this post is for you.

Multi-Pack Ring Alternatives

Multi-pack rings are very common in the beverage industry. They are cost-efficient and effective packaging because of their ease of use, as well as convenience.

However, they are made of plastic, and as the world shifts to using more sustainable materials, the public has been calling for the elimination of the multi-pack rings. Accordingly, companies are now looking for alternatives, in terms of raw materials.

Apart from providing what the consumers are looking for, studies also show that the conventional rings are a threat to the environment, especially to marine wildlife. These are the reasons why, in recent years, several packaging manufacturers have produced and created various replacements to plastic multi-pack rings. 

Some of the most prominent alcohol companies have already resorted to more sustainable multi-pack ring packaging. These include Diageo and AB UnBev.

The former previously invested millions of dollars to eliminate all plastic packaging from its Guinness brand. They have since replaced it with recyclable and biodegradable cardboard.

The latter brand has collaborated with a charity to create a plant-based binding for their Corona line. While they have to utilize the output, they are already in the last phases of the trial period.

Eco-Friendly Wine Packaging

Eco-friendly wine packaging is one of the recent innovative solutions in the world of spirits and flexible packaging. One great example is the flat wine bottle, which Garçon Wines uses for its products.

The bottles are made from recyclable PET, and are reportedly 40 percent more efficient than round bottles. In addition to this, they are 87 percent lighter than the glass ones.

The same brand also now uses a ten-bottle case that is also sustainable and eco-friendly. Based on reports, the case cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent, which applies, as well, to the overhead business costs.

Alongside these benefits, another advantage of the said case is that, when they are on a pallet, they could hold over 1,040 bottles. This is a huge up-point, considering that the point of comparison is 456 when conventional bottles are used.

“Greener” Bottles For Alcohols 

Liquor companies typically use glass and plastic for their bottles. These are the most common materials since then.

But, due to the “green” campaigns and movements today, several types of eco-friendly materials have since emerged, and many brands are now integrating them into their product packaging.

One example of this is the bottle made from sustainable-sourced wood fiber, which Carlsberg Group plans to launch. It also comes with an inner barrier that will hold beer.

This is no longer a new thing from the Danish brewer, given that they have been innovating solutions for their product packaging. In 2018, the company launched its iconic plastic wrapping-wrapping free Snap Pack. It appears to be an alternative to the conventional multi-pack rings. 

Absolut is about to officially launch its paper bottle, following the success of the prototype. It has become the brand’s first step to utilizing a fully bio-based bottle for spirits.

As reported, the material is 57 percent paper and 43 percent recycled plastic. It also features a thin layer within the bottle that consumers may recycle.

Drinking Straw Alternatives

This pointer is not entirely related to alcohol packaging. But, this has become one of the most common subjects being discussed when talking about becoming green in the world of spirits and beverages. The reason being is that straws are the most high-profile of the single-use plastic culprits today.

In recent years, many brands have already changed the materials of the straws. From the once-ubiquitous plastic, they now utilize much “greener” materials, like paper and stainless steel.

Although the number of establishments and consumers that try to eliminate the use of plastic straws continues to increase, the figure of the actual users remains significant. This is why many companies and brands have now joined the cause, like Diageo.

In the last few months, the beer and spirits company launched a range of flavored, edible straws. They are made to complement their canned beverages, like the Gordon’s G&T and Bailey’s Iced Coffee Latte.

Final Thoughts

While many companies are already replacing their packaging with more sustainable and eco-friendly materials, it is still a long way to go before the world can make large, significant impacts on the environment. So, if you are planning to change your packaging systems to become much “greener,” then, great – and here are some ideas that may help you as you go along the process.