Scotland to become first place in world to stock wine in paper bottles

Scotland has become the first place in the world to sell wine in a recycled paper bottle.

Three Scottish off-licences will stock the ‘green’ Italian wine, which comes with a carbon footprint up to 84 per cent lower than its equivalent in a traditional glass bottle.

The 75cl Frugal Bottle, which is made in the UK from 94 per cent recycled paperboard with a food-grade pouch to hold the wine or spirit, has gone on sale in-store for the first time at Woodwinters Wines and Whiskies stores in Edinburgh, Bridge of Allan and Inverness.

The containers are fully recyclable and much lighter than glass, weighing just 83g, so are less costly on the environment – and the pocket – to transport around the world.

Scotland has become the first country in the world sell wine packaged in a lightweight recyclable paper bottle, which has a carbon footprint up to six times lower than its glass equivalent

The first whisky to be bottled in paper is expected to follow soon.

“We’re delighted to be the first store in the world to sell the Frugal Bottle,” said Douglas Wood, founder of Woodwinters Wines and Whiskies.

“Woodwinters has always been keen on promoting innovation in sustainability.

“So we’re very excited to offer one of our favourite wines in such an environmentally friendly bottle. We think it’s going to be hugely popular with our customers.”

Malcolm Waugh, chief executive of Ipswich-based manufacturer Frugalpac, said: “Scotland has a real passion for sustainability and innovation, especially with the Scottish Government committing the country to having net zero carbon emissions by 2045.

“So it’s fitting that Scotland is the first country in the world to stock the Frugal Bottle, which has a carbon footprint six times lower than glass.

“No other wine or spirits bottle looks or feels like it, so it stands out on shelves in Woodwinters or on your table at home.”

“Since the Frugal Bottle launch, the firm has been inundated with enquiries from around the world - from brands, bottlers and retailers, including whisky producers.

Mr Waugh added: “There’s a real possibility we could be producing the world’s first Scotch in a paper bottle very soon.

“It’s clear there’s a huge demand for bottles made from recycled paperboard and with the lowest carbon footprint.”

The first wine to go on sale in the Frugal bottle is from the award-winning Italian vineyard Cantina Goccia.

The 3Q is a lightly wooded sangiovese red with a hint of merlot and cabernet sauvignon – the same wine sampled by former First Lady Michelle Obama when she attended the Hunter Foundation Charity dinner in Edinburgh in 2018.

The pioneering bottles are easy to recycle again, with the plastic liner easily separated from the paper outer during the re-pulping process.

Cantina Goccia winery owner Ceri Parke, producer of 3Q and the Frugal Bottle’s launch customer, said: “We’re proud to be making history with the most sustainable wine bottle in the world.

“For us, the Frugal Bottle is about achieving a considerably more sustainable form of packaging for an industry crying out for innovation.

“It will help us decarbonise the drinks industry.”

She added: “We passionately believe this is a real game changer for the wine industry, and we can see a future when 80 per cent of all wine consumed will be from a paper bottle.”

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