ADNAMS is launching the lightest 500 ml bottle in the ale category, weighing less than 300g, the Southwold brewing company announced yesterday. The original bottle, designed in 2003, had a heavy base that used a substantial amount of glass.

ADNAMS is launching the lightest 500 ml bottle in the ale category, weighing less than 300g, the Southwold brewing company announced yesterday.

The original bottle, designed in 2003, had a heavy base that used a substantial amount of glass. The redesigned bottle uses 34% less glass than its predecessor which weighed 455g.

The new lighter bottle is another initiative in Adnams' on-going efforts to reduct its impact on the environment. It comes as a result of working with Cookchick Design and O-I packaging specialists to find the most environmentally efficient packaging solution for Adnams' bottled beers.

Last year, the brewer unveiled its award-winning distribution centre, built to a high environmental specification, and this spring it opens a new brewery which will dramatically increase energy efficiency.

“Adnams is committed to sustainable business and we are always looking for ways to improve our business practice,” said marketing manager Ed Hume.

“The environmental and cost savings of the new bottle are significant. Using a lighter weight bottle will not only lessen the use of glass, but will also result in fewer carbon emissions from the manufacturing process which will in turn mean lower fuel usage due to lighter transportation.

“Coincidentally the manufacture of these bottles has moved from Scotland to Harlow, so the number of miles getting them to our bottling plant has also been considerably reduced.”

Paul McLavin, UK sales and marketing manager for O-I, said: “We are now in discussion with the Waste Resources Action Programme to see whether they will adopt this weight as the new 'best in class' for 500ml ale bottles.

“Given the supermarkets' well-publicised commitment to reduce packaging waste, Adnams' initiative could act as a significant step change in the industry.”

The new bottles will be found in stores from the end of January.