9. Sustainable packaging

Approximately 50% of the glass used in the manufacture of our bottles is recycled glass. Our goal is to reach a percentage of 80% recycled glass incorporation in 90% of our bottles.

We purposefully use lighter glass bottles for many of our standard wines and ports, which reduces both the materials and CO2 involved in their production and the emissions involved in their transportation.

We have adapted our bottling processes to use less plastic in certain key areas: 1) with the plastic sheeting used to bind pallets of wine cases together (working towards further reduction), 2) Aiming to have 100% of this plastic sheeting made from basic Polyetheline PE unlimited material (which is easily recyclable). Avoiding use of black in plastic bar-tops in order to render them recyclable.

We are undertaking a review of our existing packaging to identify opportunities for replacing materials with more recyclable or biodegradable options. We have created Sustainability Guidelines to inform all future design and NPD processes.

Approximately 90% of the cardboard we use in our packaging comes from recycled sources. In the instances we do use new / virgin cardboard we are working with our suppliers towards a goal of 100% from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certified sources by 2025 (70% by 2020).

Corks are natural and recyclable, decomposing naturally, and their production results in zero waste - cork powder is used in manufacturing processes. When compared to artificial materials, natural cork stoppers are currently the most eco-friendly choice for wine, with cork producing up to 24 times less carbon dioxide than aluminium caps and 10 times less than plastic stoppers.