Brewer tackles glass packaging waste with new bottle

The Suffolk-based brewer has teamed up with US-owned glassmaker O-I to develop a 500ml amber design, which O-I claims is 100g lighter than equivalent beer bottles.

Using technology known as narrow neck press and blow, which using plungers instead of air to mould the glass, O-I says it has more control over the bottle-making process - allowing it to reduce 450g bottles to under 300g in weight.

Speaking to letsrecycle.com today, Paul McLavin, UK sales and marketing manager for O-I, said: "The technology allows more control so you can make glass which is equally strong but more consistent. It is widely used in the brewing industry for smaller bottles but Adnams is probably one of the first to use it for half litre bottles, where brewers often like to use heavier glass."

Environment
Ed Hume, marketing manager at Adnams, explained that the new bottle was in line with Adnams´ policy to protect the environment - especially as the container could still be designed to give an impression of size.

He said: "We were delighted to receive O-I´s proposal and worked with our design agency, Cookchick Design, to achieve the perfect look for our three bottled beers, Adnams´ Explorer, Broadside and The Bitter."

Related links:
WRAP glass bottle project
Mr McLavin, added: "We are now in discussion with WRAP, the Waste and Resources Action Programme, to see whether they will adopt this weight as the new ´best in class´ for 500ml ale bottles. Given the supermarkets´ well-publicised commitment to reduce packaging waste, Adnams´ initiative could act as a significant step change in the industry."