The drinks industry is being urged by retailers to do more to reduce its environmental impact. Tesco is asking its suppliers to look at more environmentally friendly packaging, while Sainsbury's and Waitrose have confirmed listings of BWS products in more environmentally friendly formats. "If we can encourage ­winemakers, suppliers and retailers to invest in 'green' packaging solutions we can make a real difference in minimising the impact of our industry," said Andy Gale, Tesco category technical manager for BWS. Particular focus has been placed on the wine aisle. Tesco is introducing new packaging formats to its offer this summer and autumn. First to hit shelves is the Arniston Bay e-Pak pouch, followed by PET bottles under the Wolf Blass label (rsp £7.49). A Banrock Station wine in Tetra Pak cartons will be launched in November. "We've launched these new formats to judge customer reaction to innovation and set out our intent to lead the way in minimising the impact of the industry," said Gale. Waitrose will also list the Arniston Bay pouch and will launch a wine under the La Baume brand in foil pouches in October. Morrisons says it is addressing packaging waste and is committed to cutting its own label packaging by 15% by 2010. Sainsbury's is introducing the Wolf Blass PET range this month along with two own label wines as part of a trial supported by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (Wrap). The Sainsbury's PET wines are bulk-shipped and bottled in the UK, which reduces the impact of shipping. Earlier this year the Co-operative Group launched the lightest 70cl spirits bottle to date and said it planned to extend the format across spirits. It is working with suppliers on light-weighting other bottle sizes. "We also have plans for a range of own label wines that will be light-weighted over the next 12-months," said category marketing manager Vicky Steel.

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