Recycled plastic wine bottle launches in Australia

A plastic wine bottle made from 100% recycled plastic is launching in Australia. Coles will soon be carrying wines packaged in Packamama’s eco-bottles, with certain products from Accolade Wines’ Banrock Station and Taylor Wines’ One Small Step ranges packaged in the bottles available in select Liquorland and First Choice Liquor Market stores.

The bottles are made of PET and are 100% recyclable. They are 83% lighter than glass ones and due to their flat shape — intentionally designed to have a silhouette similar to traditional Bordeaux wine bottles — can be packed more tightly. This means more bottles can be transported in the same truck, saving money and reducing relative emissions per bottle.

Packamama has said that it is hopeful that the bottle, despite straying from conventional and historical designs, will prove to be a good choice for winemakers.

“Australia is globally recognised as a leader in wine packaging thanks to breakthrough innovations, including bag-in-box casks and screw-top caps for wines, and we are highly motivated to launch our climate-friendly bottle at Coles with Accolade Wines and Taylors Wines,” said Santiago Navarro, Packamama’s CEO and founder. “Coles’ ambition to be Australia’s most sustainable retailer is powerfully aligned with our ambition to deliver the world’s most scalable, sustainable bottle.”

Mia Lloyd, Coles Liquor Acting General Manager Customer, Trade Planning & Insights, said the retailer was excited to launch the sustainable bottle.

“We know our customers want us to do more in relation to sustainability and this exclusive collaboration with Liquorland, First Choice Liquor Market, Packamama, Taylors Wines and Accolade Wines significantly reduces the carbon footprint of wine for customers every day. The lightweight and flatter eco-bottle also gives our customers a convenient new option when they’re packing for that camping or caravan holiday,” Lloyd said.

Accolade Wines previously launched the eco-flat bottle for its brands in Europe two years ago. The winemaker has said that it is aiming to increase sustainability for the wine industry and to introduce a circular economy for packaging across its portfolio.

“In the last 18 months alone, we have launched a variety of sustainable and innovative packaging solutions including wine in cans, wine on tap, bagnums, as well as a world-first circular, sustainable packaging solution for on-premise partners,” said Sandy Mayo, Accolade Wines Global Chief Marketing Officer.

“We chose Banrock Station to launch the eco bottle in Australia, because the environmental credentials fit perfectly with the brand’s 25-year sustainability heritage and its commitment to forging a more sustainable future for the planet. By purchasing Banrock Station wine, wine-lovers can rest assured that they are doing something positive for the environment while enjoying delicious, sustainably made wine from South Australia,” Mayo said.

Taylors third-generation Winemaker and Managing Director Mitchell Taylor said the eco-bottle is a more sustainable bottle for consumers and wineries alike.

“We know that Australian wine drinkers are very open to innovation when it provides real benefits, like this sustainable eco-bottle does,” Taylor said. “Australia led the global change from cork to screwcap and Taylors was the first major producer to bottle all our wines under the closure.

“We believe Australians will again lead in adopting this more sustainable bottle.”

Taylors Wines and Accolade Wines both have a focus on sustainability, with the former company relying on solar panels for power generation and the latter using ecoTOTE refillable bottles to reduce the its reliance on glass bottles.