Wine & Beer Brands Say ‘Cheers’ to Cost-Saving Sustainability

Forward-thinking individuals and businesses alike are seeking new ways to reduce their impact on the environment. The powerful combination of rapidly growing consumer demand and increasing regulatory pressures pushing sustainability in consumer packaged goods (CPG) has reverberated throughout countless industries, especially in the beverage industry.

Wineries and breweries are uniquely positioned to lead this shift toward sustainability. Their significant dependence on packaging combined with a growing base of eco-conscious consumers and a deep connection to the natural environment, makes sustainability a natural extension of their business ethos.

For many wineries and breweries, environmental stewardship is not just a choice, but an integral part of their identity. Here, we’ll explore how the leading brands in this industry are setting new standards for sustainability.

Eco-friendly materials are a game changer.

In the beverage industry, foam and plastic have long been the standard for packaging products. However, savvy packaging engineers, executives, and other leaders are actively seeking out and using biodegradable, recyclable, and even plant-based alternatives, such as aluminum cans, molded pulp packaging inserts, and corrugated boxes, to name a few.

Related:Albertsons Releases Buzz-Worthy rPET Wine Bottles

Switching from outdated business practices to eco-friendly alternatives often encompasses the entire supply chain — not just the product’s packaging. That’s why many wineries and breweries are also taking steps to replace eco-detrimental materials used for protecting and insulating beverages during transit.

These types of innovative packaging materials can have a profound effect on a winery’s or brewery’s overall operational success — not just by making the transportation of products from point A to B more sustainable, but by improving cost efficiency, reducing waste management expenses, and attracting new environmentally conscious customers.

Minimizing supply chain waste.

The composition of packaging materials is just one factor to consider when transitioning to greener packaging. For example, using lightweight packaging products is another way to lower a company’s carbon footprint during transit, with the added benefit that using less fuel is a simple way to reduce overhead expenses.

Another popular approach is using refillable and reusable packaging systems, such as wine kegs and growlers. These types of vessels don’t just reduce waste — they encourage repeat customers. Individuals and businesses alike are thrilled to have their own vessels for buying and storing beverages in bulk, rather than being compelled to purchase individual cans or bottles.

Many wineries and breweries also form partnerships with clients and suppliers so they can work together to keep waste to a minimum.

For example, closed-loop recycling programs ensure that packaging materials are returned and reused, rather than discarded to end up in a landfill. This type of collaboration can be mutually beneficial to all involved parties, both environmentally and financially.

Brand impact and consumer perception.

Making a difference for the planet and its inhabitants is clearly the most important reason to embrace sustainable packaging but there’s no denying the positive impact of going green from a business standpoint.

Countless surveys have shown that a significant portion of consumers actively seek out sustainable goods whenever possible.

For example, the 2023 Sustainable Market Share Index, a yearly research initiative by the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business (CSB), found that CPG products marketed as sustainable hit a new high market share of 18.5%, up from 17.3% in 2022. There’s little doubt that this impressive figure will only keep rising.

Numerous studies also suggest that sustainability is a particularly important selling point among wine and beer drinkers. Approximately 70% of regular wine consumers in the United States say that sustainability is a high priority.

Aligning brand values and consumer values naturally instills trust in the end user. Not only are the majority of wine and beer consumers more likely to support a business that focuses on sustainability, but eco-friendly business practices open up a myriad of avenues for PR and marketing. Sustainability can be a huge selling point that you can feel good about pushing.

A lightweight, stackable and insulated shipping kit like this Hexabox can provide an eco-friendly and cost-reducing alternative to traditional foam. (Image: Gorilla Packaging)

Innovations on the horizon.

As climate concerns continue to grow and technology exponentially evolves, there’s no doubt we’ll continue to see exciting new innovations in CPG packaging.

Emerging trends like edible packaging, carbon-neutral bottles, and environmentally friendly foam alternatives are already making headway among forward-thinking wineries and breweries that are poised to be industry leaders as consumers actively seek out companies with aligning values.

That said, we cannot rely solely on industry vanguards and disruptors to be the catalysts for much-needed change on both local and global scales. Collaborative efforts across the beverage, packaging, and shipping industries will be required to make a broad, meaningful impact.

Learning about sustainable packaging options is the first step; implementing solutions independently or with like-minded partners is the next. While making drastic operational changes can be intimidating, collaborating makes this necessary shift much more approachable.

Every business has to start somewhere — a complete overhaul may not be immediately feasible. However, once the seed is planted, scaling happens organically. The good news is that sustainable packaging solutions are more accessible and effective than ever. And, in the beverage industry, it’s not a matter of if, but when.

Beverage packaging's bright future.

Wineries and breweries are in a unique position to lead the sustainable packaging movement. Many have already started reaping the benefits, and it’s only a matter of time before the competition catches on and other CPG industries take notice.

Now is the time to be proactive and seek out sustainable packaging solutions while they’re relatively niche, yet widely available and affordable. When sustainable packaging inevitably becomes the new industry standard, switching over may not be as easy.

It’s no secret that wineries and breweries are often steeped in history and tradition. However, consumers value consistency in the product itself — not necessarily how it's packaged. Sustainability isn’t a trend. It’s an ever-growing movement that’s going to stick around for the long haul.