Carlsberg launches low-carbon beer bottle
The company has partnered with glass bottle supplier Encirc to put 1 million bottles in circulation in the UK with Carlsberg Danish Pilsner.
The reduced carbon footprint of the bottles has been achieved thanks to switching the glass furnace to biogas, a renewable fuel made from waste organic materials. Recycled content in the glass was able to be increased up to 100%.
CMBC says the bottle shows the potential to transform the bottle from the highest-carbon-impact packaging type to the lowest. Glass bottles currently account for around 10% of the total emissions across the value chain for the company.
Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company is formed out of a joint venture between Carlsberg UK and Marston’s PLC, who are both shareholders. It owns and operates a brewery and distribution network across the UK, with top brands including Carlsberg Danish Pilsner, Hobgoblin, Marston’s Pedigree, Tetley’s, Wainwright and 61 Deep.
Carlsberg’s Together Towards ZERO programme seeks to achieve a zero carbon footprint, and CMBC says the new bottle has ‘significant potential’ to support the brewer’s target.
Other packaging innovations from Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company include redesigning bottles for the 2019 relaunch of Carlsberg Danish Pilsner in the UK to make them 10g lighter (saving more than 130 tonnes of glass in the first year).
Sam Brakes, Senior Procurement Manager, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company, says targets can only be met by working together with suppliers like Encirc. “This trial has huge potential, transforming glass from the highest carbon impact packaging format to the lowest. We’re proud to be working with pioneers in the industry, contributing to the development of a low-carbon future, and going Together Towards ZERO.”
