Marks & Spencer to launch carbon neutral PET Beaujolais Nouveau

By Lucy Britner

Published: 21 November, 2013

Marks & Spencer is set to launch what it claims is the first carbon neutral Beaujolais Nouveau. The 2013 vintage is to be bottled in PET and launched, in line with tradition, on the third Thursday of November (21).

The company has used rail to transport the wine to the UK.

M&S winemaker Sue Daniels, who blended the wine, said: "I'm excited about the 2013 vintage; a long, very cold winter and a hot late summer has led to low yielding vintage, but with terrific quality. I'm really hoping a bit of a modernisation will help customers rediscover this little gem."

The lighter bottles avoid 12.5 tonnes of greenhouse emissions and they weigh 88% less than glass bottles.

This is not the company's first PET initiative; in 2010 M&S transferred its entire mini wine bottle range into PET and there is a red, white and rose from French vin de pays producer Domaine Mandeville in full-sized bottles.

The newly launched wine is to be priced at £7.49.

Adam Elman, M&S global head of delivery for Plan A - the company's sustainability programme - showed the PET bottle during his presentation at Wine Vision.

He talked extensively about the company's commitment to reduce its impact on the environment as well as the cost savings involved in being sustainable.

"We looked at printing and paper reduction, for example, and we have cut our paper usage by 30% - that's a £3m saving."

The company also has a zero-waste-to-landfill policy that Elman said has saved £4m.

Stores across the UK can compare their energy usage and get tips from other managers on how to cut electricity and water consumption.

As well as using company waste to make its carrier bags, M&S is also recycling clothes.

When it comes to suppliers, M&S holds a supply chain conference and also holds talks with suppliers on the benefits of sustainability.

"We have a target that every product should have a sustainability aspect," added Elman.

Printer friendly version