Gin in paper bottles: Frugalpac finds favor with Greenall’s for carbon-cutting potential
08 Aug 2022 --- Frugalpac is providing Greenall’s – the Original London Dry Gin – with its paper-based Frugal Bottle. Greenall is one of the first major gin brands in the UK to launch in paper bottle format, reducing its carbon footprint by a reported 84%.
The Greener Greenall’s Paper Bottle marks a significant step in the brand’s journey to reduce its carbon emissions to net zero as part of the brand’s new Greener Greenall’s campaign, says Greenall’s.
Made from 94% recycled paperboard with a food grade pouch to contain the gin, the paper bottle is five times lighter than a normal glass bottle, while its carbon footprint is six times lower and its water footprint is four times lower, asserts Frugalpac.
The result is a carbon footprint of 91.9 g per CO2 emission per bottle compared to 558.2 g per CO2 emission for a traditional glass bottle – a reduction of up to 84%. The new paper bottle is also fully recyclable, with the outer paper casing and cap suitable for recycling on the curbside and the soft plastic liner at major supermarkets and recycling centers.
According to Innova Market Insights, a majority of UK consumers say they perceive paper as either somewhat sustainable (39%) or very sustainable (35%).
One tree for every bottle
As part of the Greener Greenall’s campaign, the brand is teaming up with climate action organization, Ecologi.
The partnership will ensure that for every Greener Greenall’s Paper Bottle purchased in the off-trade and for every 10 Greenall’s Gin & Tonics purchased in the on-trade, one tree will be planted. These trees will be planted in areas of the world that are in “most need.”
The paper bottle is fully recyclable, with the outer paper casing and cap suitable for recycling on the curbside and the soft plastic liner at recycling centers.“This new paper bottle from Frugalpac and partnership with Ecologi marks a significant step in Greenall’s [environmental] sustainability journey. We know there is much more we need to do, so we are creating a roadmap for the brand that will lead us to reduce our carbon emissions to net zero,” says Russell Smith, global brand lead at Greenall’s.
“With climate change a continued growing threat, we recognize that we need to do our best to reduce our environmental footprint.”
Linda Adams, head of partnerships at Ecologi, adds: “Not only is the company [Greenall’s] demonstrating its long-term commitment to offsetting its emissions through this initiative, but it is also fully committed to reducing the amount it generates.”
The new paper bottle format (70 cl) is now available to order for UK customers across all channels. The Greener Greenall’s Paper Bottle will first appear on Sainsbury’s shelves nationwide in October and is also launching in EMEA in the latter half of the year.
Climate positive action
The move by Greenall’s follows years of climate positive action from the manufacturing team at G&J Distillers, where Greenall’s and many other Quintessential Brand’s gins and spirits are produced.
Today, G&J Distillers uses only renewable energy as it is powered using electricity generated solely by offshore wind farms. All materials used at the site for production of Quintessential Brand products are fully recyclable and the distillery is also a zero-landfill site.
Meanwhile, Frugalpac has sold the “world’s first” paper bottle machine, which produces the Frugal bottle – the “first and only” commercially available wine, spirits and olive oil bottle made from recycled paper.
Malcom Waugh, CEO at Frugalpac, spoke to PackagingInsights about the Frugal Bottle’s environmental sustainability credentials and how it compares to more conventional applications such as plastic and glass.
In related news, The Paper Bottle Company (Paboco) revealed a new advanced paper closure, described as a “groundbreaking development,” in collaboration with Blue Ocean Closures. The paper closure moves Paboco closer to its target of developing a recyclable and fully bio-based paper bottle ready for the market by 2023.
By Natalie Schwertheim
