Know the difference

Thankfully, we now exist in a time where events are taking sustainability seriously. However, whilst many event-safe options claim to be environmentally-friendly - how well informed are you about the packaging that contains your drinks?

Event Wine Solutions understands how much research and development work goes into selecting the right vessel for their product – wine that can be enjoyed safely and sustainably in a field!

After consulting with independent sustainability consultants Rubbish Ideas, headed up by Connor Bryant and Jack Schneider (www.rubbish-ideas.com), Event Wine Solutions commissioned a full carbon comparison study of different vessel options which flagged up many issues surrounding the choices available to them.

The results of their study concluded that a 100% recycled rPET, mono-layer, clear plastic bottle was the lowest embodied* carbon option (*manufacture to delivery) with a comparatively low lifecycle** carbon footprint for their range of wines (**entire cradle-to-cradle lifecycle). Although sourcing the right bottle supplier proved challenging, it was an aim worth striving for. Event Wine Solutions achieved in early 2020, using the down-time during the pandemic to refine the packaging and ensure it was perfect for a tentative launch in 2021.

Other options on the market which were not deemed sustainable for their wine included:

Partly recycled and partly virgin plastic bottles which were clearly not as desirable as 100% recycled rPET as they rely partly on virgin material
A multi-layered bottle which, although adds shelf-life, proves difficult if not impossible to recycle again after use
Coloured plastic bottles which carry the same issue as above.

Advising on the recyclability of the bottles, the team at Event Wine Solutions visited the Grist Environmental ‘zero-to-landfill’ recycling plant in Wiltshire where they found out exactly what happens to the wine bottles once they leave a festival site. They discovered that multi-layered plastic contains a layer of nylon or EVOH (Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer) which, although theoretically recyclable, is in reality unrecyclable in normal recycling systems. Coloured plastic is also more difficult to recycle, and therefore less valuable within the recycling stream, meaning it’s less likely to be turned into a new product.

Whilst aluminium cans present a viable alternative to Event Wine Solutions’ 100% recycled rPET vessel, the high embodied carbon of the material along with controversies surrounding bauxite mining which takes place underneath rainforests meant that until virgin material no longer needs to be sourced (currently, demand outstrips the available amount of recycled material available), this wasn’t the best choice. Event Wine Solutions has always believed that event-goers prefer to enjoy a traditional format bottle of wine that can be shared among friends, and in the challenging economic climate it also proves to be a good-value way to enjoy an alcoholic beverage at events. Finally, whilst many aluminium cans claim to be a plastic-free option for events, some in fact contain a PET plastic liner which can complicate the recycling process and negate any perceived preference to cans.

Going further, Event Wine Solutions also offsets the carbon emissions of all its packaging with Gold Standard projects ranging from a cookstove project in Malawi and a geothermal project in El Salvador, among many others. The cookstove project involves distributing energy-efficient cookstoves around Malawi where many households still rely on open fires to cook and purify water. The project aims to lessen the natural energy requirements of as many communities as possible through the efficiency of the design. It is one of the most cost-effective ways of improving the lifestyle and sustainable development of the many communities in the region as possible. The Geothermal Project’s primary objective is to supply El Salvador’s rising demand for energy due to economic growth and to improve the supply of electricity, while contributing to environmental, social and economic sustainability by increasing renewable energy’s share of total the Salvadoran electricity consumption. One fundamental goal of the project is the efficient use of resources, particularly indigenous resources, while minimising impact on the environment.

Did you know?

Today, only nine percent of plastics produced are mechanically recycled which is something that the increased demand for recycled PET is helping to improve.

The process of discovering the best possible option for their wine has helped Event Wine Solutions solidify a core objective – to make use of an existing post-consumer waste resource which in turn supports the shift towards a zero virgin-plastic future. The journey towards a virgin plastic-free world can only come about through re-using what’s already in existence – and that’s why Event Wine Solutions is confident that, for now and until they discover a better alternative, they are using the most environmentally-friendly material for their wine bottles. They continue to invest in the research and development of new vessels and support advancements in this area. We can all agree that no single solution is perfect, but finding the best possible option available at the time is a good benchmark for the events industry as a whole.

What’s next for The Headliner?

The Headliner wine brand is now synonymous with UK festivals, enjoyed at events ranging from BBC Radio 1, Boomtown and Kendal Calling, to Love Saves The Day, Victorious and Brighton Pride. Launching late in 2023, The Headliner has enjoyed a cosmic new makeover, courtesy of wine branding expert Jodie Newman – taking inspiration from retro vinyl gliding around centre-stage. The Headliner is sure to attract new attention from wine-drinkers across the 2024 season. Get in touch to discuss stocking it for your event… info@eventwinesolutions.co.uk / www.eventwinesolutions.com / @eventwinesolutions