Allied Glass, which makes a sizeable proportion of the bottles used for spirits in the UK, has worked to reduce the weight of glass used in its generic 70cl and 1.5l bottles. It has saved 4,788 tonnes of glass in a trial organised by WRAP, a state-sponsored body aiming to create markets for recycled materials. High Commissioner, the UK's fifth highest selling blended whisky, & Glen's Vodka, the third highest selling vodka, are using the bottles. They are also used for some supermarket own-label whiskies & vodkas. Such techniques save money because the bottles use less glass & reduce energy costs because the goods are lighter to transport. Retailers are increasingly attempting creative ways to reduce resources wasted on packaging goods as they try to reduce their liability for landfill tax & at the same time respond to consumer demand. See: www.timesonline.co.uk
