Wines Shipped in Lighter Bottles

November 4, 2008

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

The ability to make lighter glass for wine bottles isn’t new, but the trend is gaining attention because it is a “green” alternative, AP reports (via the Union-Tribune).

At Fetzer Vineyards, the company is switching to lighter weight glass to cut shipping costs and to be more environmentally friendly. The winery’s new bottles are on average 14 percent lighter, with the 750-milliliter bottles now weighing 15.5 oz. when empty.

The company says that with 23 million bottles shipped annually, that adds up to an annual saving of 2,200 tons of glass. That also means spending less money on materials and fuel for transportation.

Most of the new bottles have a flat bottom, as opposed to the traditional indentation known as a “punt,” which was designed to collect sediments. Fetzer spokesman Jim Caudill told AP that the punt is being kept for premium lines, but not everyday wines that aren’t going to spend years in a cellar.

Boisset Vins et Spiritueux is also using alternative materials to ship its Beaujolais Nouveau. The winery is using PET bottles, since the wine is meant to be consumed soon after release.

Last year Fetzer Vineyards received the 2007 Best-of-the-Best Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award from the EPA.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Make sustainability part of your strategy.

Get equipped at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Best Practices: Product Environmental Compliance

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader