York Gin has launched the UK’s first gin bottle made entirely from recycled glass, marking a new step in sustainable spirits production.
The bottle, made by Yorkshire manufacturer Verallia, uses 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) glass. Each one is crafted from previously used bottles, windscreens, and other glass items that are crushed, melted, and reshaped into York Gin’s signature bottle design, which features a bevelled outline of York’s historic city walls.
This is the first time fully recycled glass made in the UK has been used to produce a gin bottle. The glass, known as Vista, passed all tests for strength and durability.
Nolan Kane from Verallia said: “Creating 100% PCR bottles in the UK is a positive step forward for our industry and Verallia’s commitment to sustainability. Verallia has been making bottles in Yorkshire for over 150 years, and collaborating with York Gin for this UK first is an exciting step forward.”
The new bottles are made just 27 miles from York Gin’s distillery, helping reduce the environmental impact of transport. They also have a subtle blue tint, a natural result of the recycled materials, which York Gin says adds to their charm.
York Gin director Natalie Hall said: “Using glass that has had previous lives gives our bottles a unique character and history. We’ve always been committed to sustainability, and this partnership with Verallia is a brilliant example of that.
“Our motto is ‘History in the Tasting’, but this is the future of bottles.”
York Gin’s wider sustainability efforts include offering in-store and trade refill schemes, using an electric van, sending no waste to landfill, and working with local green energy and printing suppliers.
Natalie added: “It’s a testament to our sustainability ethos that Verallia chose us for this important project. We’re incredibly proud to lead the way with this UK first.”
