Sainsbury's has begun trialling a 75cl PET wine bottle as part of its initiative to reduce CO2 emissions by 2012. Reportedly the UK's first "traditionally-shaped" PET wine bottle, it is said to be around an eighth the weight of a "regular" glass wine bottle (at 54g, compared with 400g). According to WRAP the UK consumes around 1BN wine bottles/pa, requiring 500,000/t glass packaging. The new PET bottle is produced by Amcor PET Packaging, using "enhanced barrier properties" & has a long skirted aluminium screwcap closure. Initially Sainsbury's is offering 2 own label wines in the container, but plans extending its use if the initial launch proves successful. The wines are being bottled in the UK by Corby Bottlers rather than at source; with bulk shipping the supermarket says nearly twice the amount of wine can be transported per container.
