Irish Distillers announces sustainable step change including removal of gift boxes
In removing gift boxes, Jameson will cut out approximately 4 million units between now and the end of 2025.
Irish Distillers today announced that as part of its sustainability and responsibility roadmap, all Irish Distillers’ secondary packaging across its portfolio of Irish whiskeys will be recyclable, reusable, compostable or removed entirely by the end of 2025.
The Jameson portfolio will drive the change with the progressive removal of gift boxes, ultimately resulting in the removal of approximately 4 million units between now and the end of 2025. Consumers can expect to see a gradual reduction of secondary packaging in markets over this timeframe.
The move supports Irish Distillers’ sustainability and responsibility ambitions and will reduce the environmental impact of brand packaging by reducing waste.
Gift packs containing secondary items such as hipflasks or drinking glasses will be 100% recyclable and FSC certified and any new products will be put through an eco-design tool to ensure that they are designed according to the key principles of Pernod Ricard’s circular making strategy.
Further sustainable innovations and changes to packaging within Irish Distillers’ portfolio will see the removal of gift boxes across Powers, the Spot family and Knappogue Castle portfolio by the end of 2025.
Sustainable changes are already being rolled out across the portfolio. Midleton Very Rare 2023, which is due for release in February, will come in a new, high quality recyclable box instead of the wooden box previously used.
Nodjame Fouad, chairman and CEO, Irish Distillers, “Operating and thinking sustainably is not an option; it is a necessity. In recent years, we have made a number of changes across our operations to support our sustainability and responsibility ambitions. Today, we are announcing new sustainable packaging changes across our portfolio of whiskeys to help reduce waste. We understand that reducing our impact at all stages of our value chain is critical and this includes packaging waste such as cardboard and choosing more sustainable packaging materials. ”
Last year, Irish Distillers announced plans for Midleton Distillery to become carbon neutral by 2026 using break-through emissions reducing technology. The €50M investments represents the largest by an Irish distillery to date in pursuit of this ambition and puts Midleton Distillery on track to become Ireland’s first and largest carbon neutral distillery.
