Bacardi is cutting plastic pourers out of packaging

Spirits company Bacardi is cutting approximately 140 tons of single-use plastic annually, by removing plastic pourers from its bottles in a number of countries.

The plastic Non-Refillable Fitment (NRF) is commonplace throughout the spirits industry and is currently found in the neck of a number of the company’s drink brands including its BACARDÍ Rum, MARTINI Fiero, Bombay Sapphire gin and Dewar’s White Label Blended Scotch Whisky.

The removal has already begun, and by early next year, all 1.75 L bottles of BACARDÍ rum in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico will no longer contain the plastic pourer, cutting 76 tons of plastic annually.

In Spain and Portugal, the plastic pourer will be removed from all brands in the Bacardi portfolio over the next six months.

“We are making this bold move because it’s the right thing to do for the planet,” said Rodolfo Nervi, VP, Global Safety, Quality & Sustainability, Bacardi. “As a family-owned company for more than 160 years, pioneering change is in our DNA, and we’re proud to be leading the industry as we take another huge step towards achieving our commitment to be 100% plastic-free by 2030.”

Bacardi is reviewing every way in which it is currently using plastic and exploring whether it can be removed or replaced with a more sustainable alternative. By 2023, the company plans to remove all single-use plastic from its gift packs and point-of-sale materials.