UK: Cans greener and cheaper than bottles for wine - study

Wine packaged in cans carries more environmental benefits and potential cost savings than wine in glass bottles, according to research commissioned by leading can maker Rexam.

Two separate studies, commissioned by global can maker Rexam and released today (17 April), showed that wine in cans is "environmentally friendly" and offers "beneficial cost savings" for suppliers and retailers.

Carried out by Incept, a UK-based consultancy, the studies found that slim cans have half the CO2 transport-related emissions of the equivalent 75cl wine sold in glass packaging.

It also found that wine in 200ml and 250ml cans produces fewer transport-related CO2 emissions than other packaging formats.

In terms of cost, the study found that slim cans are up to GBP0.17 per litre cheaper than glass bottles and that suppliers could save between GBP0.02 and GBP0.08 per unit.

Nick Gazzard, CEO of Incept, said: "The studies use a new methodology developed as part of an on-going sustainability initiative by the can making industry's UK body, the Can Makers (BCME) and Incept, to identify these truly significant cost and transport CO2 emissions savings related to cans.

"Often the costs and emissions of specific packages are lost in averages, and this information helps to save money and the environment by identifying the differences and the opportunity," Gazzard said.