Waitrose is to increase its bulk wine shipping & bring in more lightweight packaging after appointing a new head of sustainability & ethical sourcing. Quentin Clark's remit will include driving the wine departments corporate social responsibility image. Wine buyer Nick Room described environmentally friendly bottling & transportation as "An important strand of Waitroses activity, its very important," he said. "Were working with suppliers & making sure we promote our environmental credentials." Room hailed Waitroses first foray into bulk importing a success, with sales of its Virtue range "doing very well." The 2 Chilean Virtue wines were launched a year ago in a bid to reduce carbon emissions by 47/tpa & production costs by up to 40%. The wines are imported by sea in 24,000-litre recyclable tanks to Teesport in the north-east for bottling in 60% recycled glass. The supermarket has now expanded the range to include wines from South Australia and California. Room added that Waitrose is planning further packaging innovations, aiming to reduce its impact on the environment, despite some consumer mistrust of alternative packaging formats. Its not been easy with pouches, the customer hasnt really got behind them but they fulfil a role. Well also keep PET under investigation, he said. The retailer is introducing South African Shiraz and Chenin Blanc in screw-top plastic bottles with an rrp of £5.49.
