Tesco removes over 300 tonnes of glass from wine range

Tesco has reduced the amount of glass it uses across its wine range by over 300 tonnes.

The retailer has worked with the Sustainable Wine Roundtable and suppliers to develop what it claims are “better, lighter” wine bottles.

Research by the organisation has found that half of wine’s carbon impact can be attributed to the glass bottles in which it is traditionally packaged.

Through its Bottle Weight Accord, the Sustainable Wine Roundtable aims to reduce the average bottle weight across the industry to 420g by 2026, from the current bottle weight average of 550g.

Tesco has already surpassed that target, achieving a 410g bottle weight average. The retailer said it hoped to remove a further 3,000 tonnes of glass from its range in 2025, across both still and sparkling wines.

“Removing unnecessary glass is a crucial step in Tesco reducing its environmental impact,” said Tesco beers, wines and spirits director Jason Godley.

“For too long, we’ve associated heavier bottles with higher quality, and the lighter bottles show that this is not true.

“The bottles hold the same quality wine, delivering fantastic flavour at brilliant prices.”

Concha y Toro UK & Ireland grocery channel director Tom Waugh said the B Corp certified wine company was “known for its strong focus on sustainability along the entire supply chain”.

“As close partners of Tesco we have worked together to make the glass bottle weight reductions necessary to hit the targets laid out by the Bottle Weight Accord,” Waugh added.