Greene King launches new lightweight bottles

Greene King is launching new lightweight bottles with a "contemporary" new look for 10 of its beers.

The new botles, all 500ml, have 25% less glass and are said to be more environmentally friendly.

The first batch of lightweight bottles - featuring Old Speckled Hen, Abbot Ale and Hop - have been produced.

Others to be released over the next few weeks are Ruddles County, Strong Suffolk Vintage Ale, Hen's Tooth, Old Bob, Abbot Reserve, Olde Trip, Greene King IPA Export, Old Crafty Hen and Morland Original.

"The 80 to 90 grams of glass we're losing per bottle is good but may seem modest, but given the large number of bottled beers we produce, the overall impact is enormous," said Greene King Brewing Company managing director Justin Adams.

"In total, we'll be saving well over 1,500 tonnes (equivalent to 5 million bottles) of glass each year. In order to produce the same number of bottles, our manufacturers will be significantly reducing their use of raw materials (silica, soda and lime) and will cut down their use of energy by well over 20%.

"There is a positive knock-on effect of the lighter weight bottle on fuel consumption. We will save up to 150 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum purely as a result of lightening the load for delivery vehicles."

The new bottles have a different look, with alternations to the front, back and neck labels.