Martini Asti sparkling wine bottle redesigned

The Martini Asti sparkling wine bottle has had a redesign. The redesign team worked to honour the 150-year-old heritage of the Martini brand while incorporating the latest in sustainable design. The aim was threefold: to reduce the glass weight, to keep the same external shape, and to guarantee consumer safety. The resulting new streamlined version of the original bottle is almost two ounces lighter, saving on energy while preserving the brand heritage.

“We are talking about a bottle for sparkling wine that involves quite a bit of liquid pressure inside,” explains Simona Filosi, Martini senior packaging developer. “Today, when you compare the old and new bottles side by side, you cannot tell any difference in terms of shape. However, by reducing the glass weight, we reduce the energy required to make the bottles.” The annual energy savings from lighter-weight glass for these bottles is equivalent to 330 fewer cars off the road in a year.

The redesign is part of a broad scope of sustainability initiatives for Martini. At Martini facilities worldwide, the commitment to protect the environment and reach a net-zero impact has fostered a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 30%, solid waste by nearly 7% and water use by nearly 4% over the past eight years.

Martini is part of the Bacardi family of spirits. Since 2006, when the company began tracking its global impacts on the environment, Bacardi has reduced both non-renewable energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from production by nearly 28%. Building on current programs and efficiencies that reduce its environmental impacts, the Bacardi Limited global sustainability program sets specific goals in three areas to help the company reach its vision of a net zero impact:

Responsible sourcing

Bacardi states that it strives to obtain all raw materials and packaging from sustainably sourced, renewable or recycled materials while maintaining or enhancing the economic status of growers and suppliers. By 2017, the goal is to obtain 40% of the sugarcane-derived products used to make Bacardi rum from certified, sustainable sources – and 100% by 2022. This pledge from Bacardi is an industry first.

Global packaging

Bacardi commits to use eco-design to craft sustainability into its brand packaging and point-of-sale materials. By 2017, Bacardi plans to reduce the weight of its packaging by 10% and achieve 15% by 2022.

Operational efficiencies

Bacardi continues to focus on reducing water use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with a 2017 goal to cut water use by 55% and GHG emissions by 50%. In addition, he company aims to eliminate landfill waste at all of its production sites by 2022.

To learn more about Bacardi Limited's ‘Good Spirited: Building a Sustainable Future’ environmental initiative across all its spirits brands, visit http://www.bacardilimited.com/good-spirited.

9 December 2014 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor