Avanti West Coast rolls out recyclable spirit bottle onboard trains

• Avanti West Coast teams up with Forest Distillery to serve exclusive spirit in aluminium bottle
• Packaging of ‘Forest to First’ gin miniatures switches from glass to aluminium
• Innovative bottle supports commitment to offer sustainable products

Avanti West Coast has partnered with a local distillery to serve gin in miniature aluminium bottles as part of its commitment to offer a sustainable menu to customers.

Working with Forest Distillery – a family-run distillery in the heart of the Peak District – the train operator is rolling out fully recyclable aluminium bottles for its ‘Forest to First’ gin miniatures (5cl), as the UK marks Recycle Week (22 – 28 September).

The innovative bottle will replace the existing glass miniatures – providing a lightweight, compact and sustainable alternative for the gin which is made exclusively for Avanti West Coast.  

Made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled aluminium, the new bottles do not rely on raw material – offering a carbon footprint of up to 90 percent lower than 5cl bottles made from PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic or glass.

Switching to this packaging also supports a circular approach to waste – whereby the bottles are recycled keeping the materials in use for as long as possible.

Weighing just 10 grams, the aluminium bottle is almost 67 percent lighter than a 5cl glass bottle – reducing the weight of each delivery by 160 kilograms and cutting transport emissions.

Karl and Lindsay Bond - founders of Forest Distillery – came up with the idea of the new packaging, which now features a unique design that reflects the botanicals used for the gin and Macclesfield Forest – which is only a few miles from the home of the distillery and where some of the ingredients are foraged.

Rob Taylor, Food and Beverage Development Manager at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re always looking at new ways of doing things to deliver the best possible experience for our customers while being a responsible business.

“Partnering with Forest Distillery to give one of our most-loved drinks greener packaging supports our shared goal to offer sustainable local products, as well as making a positive difference to the environment.  

“We’re proud to introduce this innovative bottle and hope our customers admire the new look, while enjoying the same familiar taste as they whizz along the West Coast Main Line.”

Karl Bond, Co-Founder and CEO of Forest Distillery, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Avanti West Coast on the launch of these new aluminium minis, featuring their bespoke ‘Forest to First’ gin. This move is not only a more sustainable option, but also a brilliant way to showcase the best of the North West to passengers across the country. As a distillery rooted in Macclesfield Forest, it’s fantastic to see our region celebrated in such a forward-thinking partnership.”

ENDS