Bottle or Box?

Do you pour from a bottle or box?

As a consumer and person that is concerned about the environment, you may not have the answer to the question, “Bottle or Box,” figured out yet.  In fact, you probably don’t even know what I’m talking about!  But if you love a nice glass of wine with your dinner, then its time to get with the program!

This quandary has an acceptable answer, unlike the paper vs. plastic debate, which leaves us with answer “C” – none of the above.

Oenophiles may not be ready to accept the fact that boxed wine is a better for the environment than bottled.  There has been a pretty big resistance to the idea that fine wine could come in a box (let alone with a screwtop!).  But you can fine some good varietals packaged as boxed wine these days.

In the hopes that more wineries will chose to use boxes instead of bottles, let’s review the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Energy Requirements:  Boxed wine is better for the environment in this regard.  It takes about 1/3 less energy than that required to make glass.  This is comparing a standard 750 ml bottle with a standard 1 liter box.  Also, add in the fact that boxed wine is lighter to transport, due to its lightweight packaging, and the energy savings increase even more.

Recycling Issues:  On this point, bottled wine comes out ahead.  Glass is accepted in most cities’ recycling programs through which it can be given new life many times over.  The aseptic cartons in which boxed wine is packaged is not widely accepted by recycling programs.  With regard to both options, consumers could do a better job.  Only 25% of wine bottles are recycled, and a paltry 5% of aseptic cartons make it to the bin.

Boxed wine can be found at Target

Overall Environmental Impact:  Wine bottles lose the battle with boxed wine because of the greater energy requirements to produce the bottles and the larger amount of fossil fuels that are burned during transport of the bottled wine to the consumer.  Even though aseptic cartons are more difficult to recycle (they are made of layers of paper (75%), polyethylene plastic (18%) and aluminum (7%), the significant paper content of the boxes can be reused for other products.

Additional benefits of Boxed Wine:  It stays fresher for longer!  When you open a bottle of wine, it should be consumed within a day or two for best taste.  Boxed wine doesn’t lose its flavor or character for about 4 weeks if the air is compressed out of the carton.

So, where can you find decent boxed wine?  Whole Foods offers “Green Path” wine at its stores.  You could also ask the local wine steward at your grocery store to recommend one of the many boxes that have started to line the shelves.   Honestly, however, wineries are not 100% on board, so options are still somewhat limited.

Have you ever enjoyed wine from a box?  Would you recommend any that you particularly liked?