Pernod Ricard, Paris, unveiled a set of packaging innovations from Absolut Vodka, Perrier-Jouët and Beefeater, as part of its 2030 “Good Times from Good Place” Sustainability & Responsibility roadmap. As defined in its circular making pillar, Pernod Ricard has committed to 100 percent of its packaging being recyclable, reusable, compostable or bio-based by 2025.
“Our Sustainability & Responsibility strategy sits at the heart of our business with circular making as a key pillar. Innovating in packaging is crucial to minimizing our environmental impact,” said Vanessa Wright, vice president of sustainability and responsibility, in a statement. “Like Absolut, Perrier-Jouët and Beefeater, all our brands are committed to this approach. This is about limiting waste and preserving our natural resources by reusing, reimagining, recycling and reducing, adopting a truly circular mindset.”
For Absolut Vodka, the Swedish vodka brand has just reached an important milestone, achieving 50 percent recycled material within its clear glass bottle four years ahead of target, it says. In spite of the challenges related to reaching that level of recycled glass, The Absolut Co. was able to maintain the bottle’s clearness through close collaboration with its glass manufacturer Ardagh Group.
This major achievement follows the launch of the Absolut paper bottle prototype, marking the brand’s first step to a fully bio-based bottle able to contain spirits. The paper bottle is made of recyclable content ― 57 percent paper and 43 percent recycled plastic ― with plastic making up a thin layer within the bottle that can be successfully recycled. The prototype was available in the United Kingdom and Sweden with an initial batch of 2,000 bottles to be tested amongst consumers. The project is a collaborative initiative with the Paboco (the Paper Bottle Company) to create a sustainable alternative to traditional packaging methods. This entity includes industry leaders in the FMCG sector with the aim of driving sustainable innovation in the bottling industry and challenging the mindset of consumers and players across the spirits industry, the company says.
Beefeater Gin just unveiled a new 100 percent recyclable bottle with a premium embossed aluminum cap replacing the existing plastic cap. The label moved from plastic to paper for a crafted, elegant feel, saving more than 400 tons of plastic each year. The new bottle, which coincides with 200 years of distilling heritage, has just been launched in Spain, Beefeater’s No. 1 market, and will be rolled out worldwide in the third quarter of this year.
After two years of research and development, Perrier-Jouët launched a new eco-designed gift box, entirely made of natural fibers sourced from FSC-certified forests. Combining elegance and sustainability, these new boxes are 30 percent lighter and mineral oil free. They are fully and easily recyclable.
