Elephant Gin reduces bottle weight to combat carbon emissions
2022 sees Elephant Gin advance towards a net zero carbon emissions target with the unveiling of a new eco bottle. As the popularity of the brand grows, having recently won World’s Best Gin at the Spirits Business Gin Masters Award 2021, Elephant Gin’s carbon footprint is in sharper focus than ever. Already recognised for their work with African elephant conservation, the team has carefully selected a glass manufacturer to produce its bottles as sustainably as possible, completely dispensing with plastic, reducing the bottle weight by 15% and using 65% waste glass. Reducing the weight of the bottle has reduced Elephant Gin’s CO2 footprint by 60 tons per year.
The move saves CO2 emissions with the lower use of raw materials and with reduction in weight when transporting to retailers and consumers. The bottle’s iconic design hasn’t been compromised for its eco-friendly makeover however, the bottles are still hand-filled at Elephant Gin’s distillery, and you’ll still find the bottle embossed with a coat of arms and adorned with handwritten labels and distinctive maps of Africa.
Elephant Gin Founders, Tessa and Robin Gerlach, were inspired to create their range of premium gins following their adventures in Africa. They strongly believe that this generation has a responsibility to protect the future of African wildlife and are diligent in their approach to fundraising and working with conservationists to ensure meaningful change. To date, Elephant Gin have raised over one million Euros for African elephant conservation, and the team is diligent in its approach to sustainability.
Tessa said, “Climate neutrality can only be achieved by taking a common path, from the glass manufacturer to the beverage producer and right through to the consumer. Being sustainable is a shared responsibility. This is the key to reducing emissions and thus preventing global warming.”
Robin added, “We can therefore reach out to our customers and make Elephant Gin more consumption-friendly for them. A great start to the new year and another milestone towards B-Corp certification.”
The new bottle will be used across the Elephant Gin range from March 2022.
The Stats
· Reduced weight 500ml Elephant Gin bottle
· Reduced bottle weight is 500g, down from 580g
· Proportion of used glass up from 15-25% to 60-70%
· The CO2 savings due to reduced weight and a higher proportion of used glass are around 57 tons per year (calculations based on Elephant Gin’s annual bottling)
· The CO2 savings during transport from the glassworks to the Elephant Gin distillery is around 1.1 tons
The Liquid
Elephant London Dry Gin uses a blend of 14 botanicals with rare African ingredients as well as fresh apples sourced from the orchards around the distillery. Among others, the African botanicals include the savannah’s “super fruit” Baobab, the extraordinary Buchu plant with a flavour similar to blackcurrant, and Lion’s Tail which introduces a sharp floral note. According to the company, the gin’s distinct nose first yields a subtle juniper aroma, with an undertone of mountain pine and other herbaceous notes. The taste is complex but smooth, encompassing floral, fruity, and spicy flavours, which can be enjoyed both neat and in a cocktail. Each batch is named after past great tuskers or elephants that Elephant Gin’s partners currently help to protect.
Core Elephant Gin Range
· Elephant London Dry Gin (45% ABV)
· Elephant Sloe Gin (35% ABV)
· Elephant Strength Gin (57% ABV)
· Elephant Orange Cocoa Gin (40% ABV)
