The amount of recycled glass used in wine bottles has increased by over 44,000 tonnes per year since 2006, according to the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

WRAP claimed that the GlassRite project has led to a marked increase in recycled content used in wine bottles and reduced weight of containers

The findings from WRAP's four-year GlassRite research project were revealed at the 2010 London International Wine Festival on Tuesday (May 18). The project, in its first phase, looked at lightweighting packaging and increasing recycled content in the wine sector.
In addition to the marked increase in recycled content used, WRAP added that it had reduced the weight of wine bottles by 27,048 tonnes over the course of the project - saving around 35,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.

Commenting on the GlassRite project, Nicola Jenkin, responsible for the drinks category at WRAP, said: "We know from our previous projects that huge opportunities continue to exist to use more lighter weight bottles and increase the use of recycled content in UK manufactured glass bottles - by bulk importing wine into the country. This is what will achieve a more resource efficient international wine supply chain."
The research is set to be published in full on the WRAP website next week.
Wine sector.

Under the second phase of the GlassRite project, WRAP worked with manufacturers, distributors and suppliers across the international wine market to assess areas where waste or unnecessary waste could be prevented.

Ms Jenkin said: "This second phase of the project has been about engaging with both the UK and international wine sector to identify barriers and opportunities for positive change, and to act as the catalyst to support this change."

In addition, Ms Jenkin highlighted work undertaken by the industry to increase lightweighting of material. She pointed to glass manufacturer Quinn Glass, which launched a 300g bottle in September 2009 (see letsrecycle.com story).

She said: "If the bottle was adopted for all wine sold in the UK it would generate an annual glass saving of 153,000 tonnes - equivalent to the weight of more than 460 jumbo jets - and cut CO2 emissions by 119,000 tonnes. Furthermore, Ms Jenkin said that work on lightweighting sparkling wine bottles suggested that internationally, almost 175,000 tonnes of glass savings could be made through using lighter weight bottles that are still fit for purpose