The Co-operative Group will use lighter glass bottles for its own-label ales from September, saving 131.5 tonnes of glass and 90 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year.

“This proves it is possible for packaging to be resource-efficient without compromising product quality or consumer appeal,” said category marketing manager Vicky Wood. The Co-op has already reduced the weight of its wine bottles and introduced the world’s lightest whisky bottle last year.

“This is good progress and we hope it will be widely replicated across the sector,” said beverage category manager Nicola Jenkin of government-funded waste monitor Wrap.