Endeavour Group joins Sustainable Wine Roundtable

Australian drinks and hospitality business Endeavour Group has become what is claimed to be the first Australian retailer to join the Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR), a global body representing sustainability solutions for the wine industry.

The SWR provides practical ways that industry leaders can share knowledge to ensure positive environmental outcomes while inspiring sustainability action.

By joining the SWR, the Australian company will be able to contribute to programs that will have an impact on fostering enhanced sustainability practices across the international wine spectrum.

Endeavour Group’s Head of Commercial Wine Leigh Firkin said the membership represents a significant milestone in designing wine industry practices that will leave a positive imprint.

“At Endeavour we continuously work with our supplier partners to explore meaningful sustainability initiatives and opportunities that give back to the planet,” Firkin said.

“Our ReCork initiative is an example of that. The scheme has collected 470,200 corks since October 2023.

“After two years in the making, we have been proud to finally unveil Australia’s only large-scale natural cork stopper recycling program in partnership with cork distributor Amorim Australasia and recycling initiative Save Our Soles.”

The scheme has been implemented throughout the east coast of Australia and addresses the challenges traditionally faced when recycling natural cork stoppers by repurposing them.

Endeavour Group has also adapted a proactive approach to thoughtful packaging through the introduction of bagnums and more lightweight bottles.

“Bagnums are an alternative to glass bottles that require lower amounts of carbon to produce,” she said.

SWR’s Research Director, Dr Peter Stanbury, said the group was delighted and excited to welcome Endeavour Group as a member.

“Endeavour Group has already pioneered some great work on sustainability and it will be great to work on other issues in the future,” he said.

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