Glass Waste in the Wine Industry & Sustainable Solutions

Welcome to The Rejoicing Vine educational series, where we explore ways to be better stewards for the Indianapolis community. Today, we’re focusing on environmental stewardship and something most of us don’t give much thought—glass—in particular the glass used for wine packaging.

We get it. You probably didn’t wake up this morning thinking about glass. But considering its impact on the planet, maybe we all should.

The Glass Waste Problem in the U.S.

Glass is a great packaging material because it is infinitely recyclable, meaning, IF it is recylced it can be recylced over and over again without losing quailty. Unfortunately in the United States, we’re failing to recycle it effectively. According to the EPA, of the 24.5 billion pounds of glass used annually, only 25% is actually recycled, while a staggering 62% ends up in landfills—the worst possible outcome.

Meanwhile, in the European Union, around 80% of glass is recycled. If they can do it, why can’t we? The good news is that we have a clear path to improving our glass waste rates—and wineries can play a huge role in that shift.

The Best Solution? Reduce

Before we even get to increasing recycling rates, there’s something even more effective: reducing our glass usage in the first place. At The Rejoicing Vine, we’re always first looking for ways to reduce because ultimately that's the most sustainable option. One of the biggest changes we’ve made is rethinking how we package our wine.

Traditionally, wineries rely almost exclusively on glass bottles. But we asked ourselves: Is there a better, more circular way to package wine? One that doesn't produce waste in the first place?

A Simple Yet Powerful Alternative: Kegging Wine

When searching for solutions, we looked to an industry that has already figured out how to cut back on glass waste—the beer industry. What did we find? Kegs.

By switching to stainless steel kegs that can be reused over and over again, we’ve drastically reduced our need for glass bottles. Here’s how it works:

• A half-barrel keg holds the equivalent of 70 bottles of wine.

• Instead of single-use bottles, we clean, sanitize, and refill the same kegs.

• Every time we refill a keg, we save 70 bottles from being produced, shipped, and discarded.

In just a year and a half, kegging has helped us eliminate over 3,300 pounds of glass waste—and we’re just getting started. Glass has an estimated 3:1 ratio of CO2 emissions so that 3,300 pounds of glass saved is the equivalent of 9,900 pounds of CO2 emissions saved.

Beyond Kegging: Reusing & Upcycling Glass

Of course, not every bottle can be eliminated. When we do use glass, we look for ways to reuse or upcycle it instead of sending it straight to recycling (or worse, the landfill).

• Bottle Reuse Programs – Some wineries partner with programs like Revino in Oregon, which helps collect and sanitize used wine bottles for reuse. Unfortunately Revino doesn't have a program for Indiana wineries but they've been kind enough to provide us guidance on getting our own program started.

• Upcycling in Creative Ways – At The Rejoicing Vine, we’ve turned old wine bottles into water glasses. If you’ve ever visited, you might have noticed our signature green drinking glasses—yep, those were once wine bottles!

RECYLCING: Our Last Resort

As mentioned, when single use packaging is needed, glass is a great material because it is infinitely recyclable but we have to make sure the material makes it back into the recylcing stream. At The Rejoicing Vine we make sure all of our glass is recycled if it's not reused. Which brings us to our call to action and how you as a wine consumer can help.

How You Can Help Reduce Glass Waste

As a wine lover, you have more influence than you think! Here’s how you can make a difference:

1️⃣ Ask your favorite wineries about their sustainability efforts. Do they reduce, reuse, or recycle their bottles? Are they looking for ways to reduce waste? If not, encourage them to start by sharing that it's important to you.

2️⃣ Look for wineries using alternative packaging. More brands are embracing kegs, cans, and reusable glass systems to cut down on waste. You vote with every dollar you spend. Support these places by purchasing their product.

3️⃣ Find creative ways to reuse glass at home. Turn wine bottles into decor, water glasses, candle holders, or plant watering dispensers instead of tossing them in the bin.

4️⃣ Be mindful of your own consumption habits. Small changes—like choosing wines from eco-conscious producers or ensuring the wine is made locally rather than shipped across the country or world—can have a big impact.

Final Thoughts

Glass waste may not be the first thing that comes to mind when we think about sustainability, but it’s an issue that deserves our attention—especially in the wine industry. While recycling is important, the best solutions start with reducing and reusing.

At The Rejoicing Vine, we’re committed to finding better ways to package wine and cut down on waste. But we can’t do it alone! We’d love to hear from you—what are some creative ways you reduce waste at home? Do you have ideas for how wineries can be more sustainable?

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