Aldi has become the first UK supermarket to introduce ultra-lightweight 300g wine bottles across its range, as part of a major packaging reduction initiative.

Working with Greencroft Bottling and its wine suppliers, the discounter says it has reduced the weight of 20 million still wine bottles from an average of 409g to just 371g this year.

Shoppers can now purchase popular lines including Grapevine Sauvignon Blanc and Grapevine Merlot in the new, lighter glass bottles.

The move is expected to significantly cut material use and associated carbon emissions, building on reductions the retailer has been making since 2022.

According to Aldi, the changes are the equivalent of removing 12.7 million empty bottles from circulation annually.

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“We’re always looking for practical ways to reduce our environmental footprint while continuing to deliver the unbeatable quality and value our customers expect,” Aldi UK national sustainability director Luke Emery said.

“By working closely with our wine suppliers, we’re introducing a simple yet impactful change that’s already cutting down on materials and associated carbon. It’s one of the many steps we’re taking as we continue to explore how we can continue to reduce bottle weights across our range and make our products more sustainable over time.”

The switch to lighter bottles follows Aldi’s launch earlier this year of the UK’s first own-label wine in a 100% recyclable aluminium bottle, which, weighing just 95g, is around 75% lighter than standard glass bottles.

Previously the grocery retailer has also introduced the UK’s first supermarket own-brand flat, fully recycled PET wine bottles, new own-brand Chardonnay that aims to support the removal of plastic from the ocean, naked corks and recyclable paper wine bottles in a bid to offer “greener choices” and “drive sustainable change”.

Aldi says further reductions in bottle weights are planned across its wider range as it continues to explore more sustainable alternatives.