first for lightweight ales

The Co-operative is the first to launch a lightweight ales range

The Co-operative is to become the first retailer to lightweight the glass for its own-brand ales range.

The initiative will save 131.5 tonnes of glass and 90 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

Currently being rolled-out, the initiative will be complete by the end of September 2008. 

The Co-operative’s own-label ales range includes the full-flavoured Fairtrade Bumble Bee Honey Ale, the malty and fruity Organic Fairtrade Premium Ale and the tangy Goldminer Ale - all from one of the UK’s leading microbreweries, Freeminer.

Based in Gloucestershire, Freeminer produces award-winning beers of distinction by skilled and experienced brewers in the finest tradition of British brewing heritage.

The initiative follows the launch of The Co-operative’s Food Ethical Policy earlier this year, based on the world’s largest consumer poll on ethics.

Over 100,000 members and customers said action to safeguard the environment was one of their top priorities and 97% endorsed The Co-operative’s aim to reduce waste and increase recycling. 

As a result of the poll, The Co-operative also announced that it was dramatically reducing the weight of its own-brand wine bottles, having already introduced the world’s lightest whisky bottle last year.

Vicky Wood, Category Marketing Manager for Beverages at The Co-operative, commented:

'The Food Ethical Policy results proved that packaging reduction is a matter that our members and customers feel strongly about, and this move proves that it is possible for packaging to be resource-efficient, without compromising product quality or consumer appeal.'

Nicola Jenkin, Beverage Category Manager at WRAP, said:

'We are very pleased that The Co-operative is rolling out its glass lightweighting policy to include its own-brand premium Ales range. Making a saving of 131.5 tonnes of glass and 90 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year is good progress and we hope it will continue to be replicated widely across the sector.'

Read press release about The Freeminer Brewery.