Sonoma County wine maker finds sustainability in 100% recyclable aluminium bottles and cans

In the race to become the most sustainable winery in Sonoma County, Revelshine introduced 100% recyclable aluminium bottles all around its flagship production line. Jake Bilbro, who is at present associated with the brand’s regional outreach, is pretty optimistic about Revelshine’s sustainability goals.

Aluminium can retain its original properties after going through vigorous recycling cycles, which makes it the perfect metal for creating a material loop along the production line.

Jake Bilbro remarked: “We chose aluminium bottles because, from a recycling perspective, no other product comes close.”

Aluminum is a non-ferrous metal with remarkable properties when it comes to recycling for three main reasons:

• It possesses the unique ability to be recycled innumerable times without losing its material integrity. Contrastingly, materials like glass can only be recycled a limited amount of times before they begin to break down.
• Recycling aluminium produces a smaller carbon footprint compared to glass.
• Research shows that consumers are more likely to recycle aluminium due to ease of transportation.

Revelshine, which also offers a variety of wines, has embraced the use of aluminium cans for its retail products. These cans are not only environmentally friendly but also retain the romantic essence of the traditional glass bottle. Moreover, if recycled, aluminium cans reproduce 95 per cent of the original quantity, and there is minimal material loss. All of these factors make aluminium cans a strong choice for anyone looking to positively impact the environment without sacrificing the quality of their products.

Bilbro continued his statement: “There’s a utility to aluminium (it being unbreakable) and a huge sustainability factor,” he said. “But I think what we did (by not opting for cans) is keep the traditional culture that multi-serving glass bottles offer.”

He also said that glass bottles are crucial for the designing aspect of some special quality wines, but aluminium bottles are far safer to use, with an augmented environmental and social covenant.

“It is important people understand we’re filling a certain niche. Our wines are made to be consumed within a year to a year and a half in the bottle. We’re looking to offer a significantly more sustainable alternative to the demographic of consumers who are buying their wine and drinking it that evening,” he concluded.

If you wish to learn more about various recycling initiatives worldwide, while getting an in-depth analysis from industry experts, take a look at AL Circle's Recycling e-magazine.