DIAGEO has said that its collaboration with glass manufacturer Encirc has led to the creation of the most sustainable glass Scotch whisky bottle ever.
The firm used its Black & White Scotch whisky brand in a trial of 173,000 of the 100% recyclable bottles, which Diageo said is the most environmentally-friendly batch ever produced for a Scotch whisky brand.
Diageo said further work is now required to develop and scale the trial for future production, but it represents a ‘significant’ step forward in its drive to transform the sustainability of its grain-to-glass supply chain.
Following the success of the trial, the firm has agreed a ten-year partnership to accelerate collaboration and innovation within the glass industry.
John Aird, senior packaging technologist at Diageo, commented, “We are committed to creating a sustainable future for our business and that includes looking for innovative new ways to make our bottles and packaging that reduces the carbon footprint of our products. This trial is just a first step in the journey to decarbonise this aspect of our supply chain and we still have a long way to go, but we are delighted with the results of the collaboration and the platform it creates for future innovation. We see glass futures as a great opportunity to develop new technology and to help deliver net zero glass manufacturing and we are delighted to support them in that mission.”
Adrian Curry, managing director at Encirc, added, “This is a truly momentous occasion for glass. We have set the standard globally with this trial and now the glass industry needs to work towards realising what we’ve proved is possible. We now know that glass can be the most sustainable of all packaging types and must all work together to ensure that happens.”
