Johnnie Walker is piloting its first 90% paper-based whisky bottle for its iconic Black Label scotch, as part of its broader sustainability goals. The trial, held exclusively at Johnnie Walker’s 1820 bar in Edinburgh, will run from September to mid-October 2024. Bartenders will serve whisky from 250 of these bottles, allowing the brand to test their durability and recyclability in a real-world bar setting.

The bottle, developed in partnership with PA Consulting and PulPac, features a thin plastic liner inside the paper bottle to prevent the liquid from damaging the outer layer. Importantly, this liner does not need to be separated during the recycling process, making it compatible with standard paper recycling streams.

Initial life cycle analysis indicates that the new bottle could reduce carbon emissions by 47% compared to traditional glass bottles. However, the current trial stopper, made of cork and Dry Molded Fiber, is not yet recyclable, though alternatives are being explored.

This innovation represents a major step in Diageo’s goal to make all its packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025. With ongoing feedback from bartenders and consumers, the company plans to refine the bottle further, potentially scaling up production in the near future.