Aldi is set to become the first UK supermarket to offer an own-brand wine in aluminium bottles, aiming to reduce environmental impact through innovative packaging. The Costellore Pinot Grigio will be available in stores from April 14, priced at £5.99 for a 75cl bottle.
The aluminium bottle weighs just 95 grams, making it almost 75% lighter than standard glass bottles while remaining fully recyclable. This significant weight reduction translates to transport savings of over five tonnes per truckload—equivalent to the weight of a small elephant.
Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, stated: “Our buying teams are constantly exploring ways to offer greater value and greener choices for our customers. Shoppers are looking for ways to make a difference, and we’re proud to be leading the way with innovations like this aluminium wine bottle, building on our commitment to sustainable packaging.”
The initiative is a collaboration between Aldi and Broadland Drinks, a UK-based company focused on climate-friendly packaging solutions for the drinks industry. Catherine Smith, Commercial Director at Broadland Drinks, commented: “We’re delighted to partner with Aldi on the launch of the aluminium wine bottle. This initiative fits perfectly with our ambition to reduce our own carbon footprint and work with our retailers to make their businesses more sustainable. We know the biggest factor in a bottle of wine’s carbon footprint is the bottle itself, so by switching from glass to aluminium, we can help meet the rising demand for alternative lower carbon formats.”
This move builds on Aldi’s previous sustainable packaging initiatives, including super-lightweight bottles and paper bottle options for some of its wines. The Costellore Pinot Grigio is shipped directly from Italy and bottled at a sustainably powered UK winery. Aldi suggests pairing this environmentally friendly option with seafood, white meats, light creamy sauces, or pasta dishes.
By adopting aluminium bottles, Aldi aims to offer customers more sustainable choices while maintaining product quality and value. The introduction of this packaging innovation reflects the retailer’s ongoing commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and responding to consumer demand for eco-friendly products.
