Diageo has started to phase out the use of 183 million cardboard gift boxes from its premium Scotch portfolio across the globe.
As a result, cardboard gift boxes will start to be removed from the company’s Johnnie Walker Black Label Blended Scotch Whisky, Johnnie Walker Red Label Blended Scotch Whisky, Buchanan’s Blended Scotch Whisky and Bell’s Original Blended Scotch Whisky labels.
The move comes as the Diageo has pledged to be zero-waste to landfill from its own operations and offices by 2030.
The move comes as the drinks giant unveiled a paper-based bottle for its Johnnie Walker brand, which is due to retail in 2023.
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If the phase is successful, the programme will be expanded to more Diageo brands in 2023.
“Waste caused by surplus packaging is placing an unnecessary burden on the planet,” Diageo chief sustainability officer Ewan Andrew said.
“Paper and cardboard are highly sustainable forms of packaging but it is time to review what is actually needed to package a product, as opposed to packaging it that way for historical reasons.
“We believe that the liquid in our premium Scotch products is the gift. They do not always need cardboard gift boxes to enhance this.”
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