Lucozade Energy Unveils Sustainable Bottle Redesign
Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) has announced a major step forward in its sustainability journey with a £6.3 million investment into a redesigned Lucozade Energy bottle.
This innovation introduces a half-sleeve design that significantly reduces plastic use, improves recyclability, and contributes to the brand’s broader environmental targets.
The new bottles feature a sleeve that now covers just 50% of the bottle’s height, a marked change from the previous full-length wrap. This adjustment results in a 60% reduction in sleeve weight, removing an estimated 956 tonnes of new plastic from production annually.
In addition to the plastic savings, the new design also delivers a substantial reduction in water usage – equivalent to the volume of an Olympic-sized swimming pool every 289 days.
Engineering Change at Scale
Delivering this packaging transformation has been a complex operation. The project required the installation of new sleeving machinery across three production lines at SBF GB&I’s Coleford factory.
The undertaking collectively spanned 470 working days, yet the full installation was completed in just six weeks – an achievement that speaks volumes about the dedication and precision of the team involved.
According to the company’s Supply Chain Director, producing over 3,000 bottles of Lucozade Energy per minute made the project especially intricate.
While reducing a drink’s sleeve size may sound simple, it required a full redesign of the bottle and complete changes in the componentry of their production lines. The team have dedicated thousands of hours to plan and implement this, and they are proud of their incredible commitment.
Improved Recyclability and Circularity
Beyond its environmental savings, the new design significantly enhances the recyclability of the bottles. The reduced sleeve enables the bottles to be more effectively sorted into the clear plastics stream at recycling facilities, a critical step in enabling bottle-to-bottle recycling.
This supports SBF GB&I’s broader aim to achieve 100% sustainable plastic across its entire portfolio by 2030.
Currently, packaging contributes to 15.5% of the company’s scope 3 emissions. The removal of nearly 1,000 tonnes of plastic per year is a meaningful stride towards the business’s goal of cutting scope 3 emissions by 30% by the end of the decade.
Building on Past Innovations
This latest change to Lucozade Energy packaging builds on similar adjustments made to other drinks in the Suntory portfolio.
Ribena underwent a sleeve reduction in 2020, followed by Lucozade Sport in 2021. Altogether, SBF GB&I has committed £11.3 million over five years to drive sustainable packaging initiatives, with a focus on contributing to a circular economy for plastics.
This includes supporting the delivery of a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) across the United Kingdom by October 2027.
A New Look with Familiar Energy
The redesign does not stop at sustainability. The new Lucozade Energy bottles will also showcase an embossed, ergonomic design incorporating the brand’s signature ‘Arc’ logo.
This not only improves grip and tactile experience but also reinforces Lucozade’s visual identity on the shelves.
Conclusion
Lucozade Energy’s new bottle design marks more than just a packaging change – it’s a bold commitment to sustainability, innovation, and brand evolution.
With reduced plastic, better recyclability, and a fresh ergonomic look, SBF GB&I is reinforcing its leadership in responsible manufacturing. As these new bottles roll out into stores, they symbolise a significant stride toward a greener future – one bottle at a time.
News Credits: Lucozade gets £6.3M makeover
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