Broadland Drinks, a leading drinks producer and co-packer, has secured a contract with Frugal Bottles, cementing its position as the UK’s largest filler of paper wine and spirits bottles. This partnership will facilitate the widespread availability of paper bottles to UK retailers and the on-trade sector, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional glass bottles.

Frugal Bottles, currently manufactured by Frugalpac in Ipswich, are composed of 94% recycled paperboard and come with a food-grade liner. Weighing a mere 83g, they are significantly lighter than glass bottles and boast a substantially lower carbon footprint. As of 2020, more than 35 drinks producers worldwide have launched 128 different products, including wines, spirits, and olive oils, in Frugal Bottles.

Mark Lansley, the CEO of Broadland Drinks, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasising their commitment to sustainability and innovation. He praised the Frugal Bottle’s eco-friendly credentials and its rapid adoption by the industry and consumers, framing the move as a proactive step towards reducing the environmental impact of packaging materials throughout the supply chain.

Andrew Ingham, founder of Interpunkt, highlighted the environmental benefits of paper bottles, citing that they emit six times less carbon than traditional glass wine bottles. Integrating the production of their wines in the UK represents a significant stride towards decarbonising the wine industry and offering consumers a more sustainable option for enjoying wine.

Malcolm Waugh, chief executive of Frugalpac, welcomed the partnership as a means to further reduce the carbon footprint of their bottles. Their goal is to establish Frugal Bottle Assembly Machines in bottling plants, co-packing facilities, and local packaging companies worldwide, contributing to the global reduction of carbon emissions associated with sustainable packaging.

In summary, Broadland Drinks’ collaboration with Frugal Bottles marks a significant advancement in sustainable packaging within the UK, providing a greener alternative to glass bottles and driving positive change across the supply chain, all while delivering eco-friendly wine options to consumers.