Reusable bottles are getting lighter: VdF introduces new lightweight bottles
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Millions of Germans are familiar with them: the classic VdF reusable bottles for fruit juice in 0.7 and 1.0 liter sizes. For 50 years, they have proven themselves to be robust and reliable in the recycling system.
Now the Association of the German Fruit Juice Industry (VdF) is taking a forward-looking step: the bottles are becoming lighter and thus more sustainable. Modern glass production technologies and more efficient transport options are leading to a 14 percent reduction in CO2 emissions without compromising stability and functionality.
“With the lightweight bottles, we are sending a clear signal for climate protection and the future of the reusable system,” explains VdF Managing Director Klaus Heitlinger. “We are acting responsibly and responding to the demands of the times.”
Less weight, less CO2, more sustainability
In future, the 0.7-liter bottle will weigh 400 grams instead of 450 grams, and the 1.0-liter bottle will weigh 535 grams instead of 600 grams. This corresponds to a weight reduction and CO2 savings of around 11 percent per bottle. Around 250 million VdF reusable bottles are currently in circulation and will be gradually replaced. The advantages of the new bottles are considerable: a standard truck can now transport 36 instead of 35 full pallets. This change reduces transport-related CO2 emissions and logistics costs by around three percent. Overall, the introduction of the new VdF returnable bottles will result in a 14 percent reduction in CO2 emissions.
“LW” label for new bottles
Visually, the new bottles are identical to the previous ones, but can be recognized by the “LW” label. “The new generation of our returnable bottles combines proven practicality with modern sustainability standards,” emphasizes Sven Wortmann, Chairman of the VdF Reusable Systems Committee and Managing Director of Rapp's Kelterei GmbH. “This ensures the future of the ecologically beneficial reusable system.”
