SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT.
The change represents a practical example of how procurement decisions, supplier collaboration, and operational leadership can deliver measurable environmental impact.
THE CHALLENGE? TRANSITION TO TIN.
Why? After calculating our run-rates we estimate that around 8.3 tonnes of glass moves through our supply chain and waste system each year. And this presents several environmental and operational changes:
👉 High weight (200g - 250g per bottle)
👉 High transport weights
👉Energy-intensive recycling
👉Breakage risks
👉 Lower real-world recycling rates compared to aluminium.
THE SOLUTION? COLLABORATION.
We worked with our beverage suppliers and Food & Beverage teams to transition key lines from glass bottles to aluminium cans. This required:
- Supplier engagement and packaging reviews
- Lifecycle comparison analysis
- Internal operational alignment
- Guest communication support
- Phased rollout across venues
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: MATERIAL & CARBON REDUCTION (ESTIMATED)
TONNES
of glass eliminated annually
TONNES
Across our actual run-rate this equates to 2.7-9.9 tonnes CO2e reduction per year.
CO₂e
Saving per bottle.
REDUCTION
Reduction in packaging transport weight.
CARBON EXPLAINED.
Based on published lifecycle comparisons:
- Glass bottle: ~121–285 g CO₂e per container
- Typical European Aluminium can (highly recycled content): ~60g CO2e per container
Estimated net reduction per container: ~ 61-225g CO2e. Across our actual run rate of over 43,800 containers annually this equates to an estimated 2.7-9.9 tonnes CO2e reduction annually, mainly driven by:
- Lower packaging weight
- Reduced transport emissions
- Higher recycling rates
- Lower breakage and waste losses.
Our bottles weigh 200–250g against the study’s typical 190g, so the true saving is likely towards the upper half.
THE NUMBERS SO FAR.
8.3 tonnes of glass eliminated a year and 3 and 10 tonnes of CO₂e a year saved.
PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION.
Waste & Circularity |
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Aluminium is infinitely recyclable with significantly lower energy demand when recycled. |
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UK recycling rates for aluminium cans exceed those for glass bottles. |
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Reduced breakage means less contaminated waste and safer handling. |
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Supports our Zero Waste to Landfill objective. The transition aligns with our broader Waste Management Plan and Supply Chain Resource Stewardship Policy. |
Supply Chain Engagement |
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Screen suppliers based on packaging impact |
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Collaborate to reduce waste at source |
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Prioritise recyclable materials |
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Embed environmental considerations into procurement decisions It also reflects active engagement between Operations, Sustainability, and Suppliers — showing how cross-functional collaboration can drive measurable change. |
Cultural Impact |
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Beyond the environmental metrics, the change generated strong internal engagement: |
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Teams embraced the shift |
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F&B outlets championed the transition |
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Sustainability became visible at point-of-service As noted by our Hotel Operations Manager: “It’s been great to see our F&B outlets get behind the change and make such a visible impact from such a simple decision.”KEY TAKEAWAY: MEANINGFUL IMPACT IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.
Since May 2025 we have replaced single-use glass bottles with aluminium cans across our bars and restaurants. By August 2026 we had removed 57,952 bottles, a run-rate of about 43,800 a year, taking around 8.3 tonnes of glass a year out of our supply chain. We estimate this saves between 3 and 10 tonnes of CO₂e a year.*
*Based on 43,800 bottles a year × 61–225 gCO₂e saved per container: a single-use 330ml glass bottle at 121–285 gCO₂e compared with a typical 330ml aluminium can at 60 gCO₂e (Carbon Trust, Carbon footprint of soft drinks packaging, December 2021).
