Frugalpac’s paper wine bottles have made their way onto the shelves of approximately 1,200 Target stores across the United States. This innovative packaging solution, known as the Frugal Bottle, is a collaboration between British company Frugalpac and California-based Latitude Wines and contract packager Monterey Wine Co. This partnership has led to the launch of Collective Good wines in fiber-based bottles, marking the first full-scale nationwide rollout of the Frugal Bottle at a major U.S. retailer.
Frugalpac CEO Malcolm Waugh emphasized the environmental benefits of the Frugal Bottle, stating that the volume of paper wine bottles in the Target launch will offset 100 tons of carbon dioxide emissions compared to traditional glass wine bottles. Made from 94% recycled paper, the Frugal Bottle can be easily recycled curbside in most parts of the U.S. after consumers separate it from an internal food-grade polyethylene pouch.
The placement of Frugalpac’s paper wine bottles at Target is a significant milestone for the company, as it opens up a new market in the United States. Waugh highlighted that the U.S. market has shown the most traction for Frugalpac, with plans to expand into more retail locations in the future. The company is set to launch in over 500 7-Eleven stores on the West Coast in the near future.
While other beverage companies have experimented with fiber-based bottles for products like beer and vodka, Frugalpac’s Frugal Bottle stands out for its carbon and energy efficiency. With an 84% lower carbon footprint than glass bottles, the Frugal Bottle is a sustainable alternative for wine packaging. Weighing only 83 grams, the Frugal Bottle is significantly lighter than traditional glass bottles, reducing transportation costs and emissions.
The design of the Frugal Bottle resembles a traditional bag-in-box format, with the recycled paperboard formed into a bottle shape. Consumers can easily tear open the attached polyethylene pouch to separate it for recycling, ensuring a seamless recycling process. The PE pouch also serves to protect the wine, keeping it fresh for up to a year.
Frugalpac is actively exploring barrier technologies to further reduce plastic usage in their packaging, with a focus on sustainability and recyclability. By prioritizing environmentally friendly materials and processes, Frugalpac is leading the way in sustainable wine packaging solutions.
