By Janice Brockenberry
When discussing sustainability efforts in the wine industry, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the sustainable, organic, biodynamic or regenerative practices winemakers incorporate in the vineyards and throughout the winemaking process. However, being truly sustainable goes far beyond the grapes and the juice. It impacts every aspect of production and distribution, from the work in the vineyards and cellar to the treatment of the workers and — a growing aspect of significance across the industry — packaging.
That’s where the Veritiv EcoScore Dashboard comes in. Beyond just sourcing alternative sustainable packaging for wineries, the Veritiv EcoScore Dashboard software provides a comprehensive view of the environmental impact of those packaging choices, helping wine companies keep their sustainability goals on track.
Providing the data for complete sustainability
“Everything that you’re purchasing to package your product gets in our database, and it’s marked if it’s sustainable or not and what attributes it has,” says Martha Issa, senior director of sustainability at Veritiv. “For example: Is that box made with recycled content? Is it FSE-certified? If you have any void fill or cushioning, how is that made? If you’re using bottles that would have more like a molded fiber around them, what is that made from? Are you using bio-based materials?
“All that information is available with EcoScore.”
Vertiv EcoScore Dashboard helps wineries communicate their brand identity to consumers while giving them a real look at their sustainability efforts. The database tracks 27 attributes that let wineries see where they align with their sustainable certifications; these include following spending and evaluating the packaging products a winery has purchased each month.
“The dashboard will show you all the items you’re purchasing, how much of it is recyclable and, in terms of the number of items, it will show the expense and the value of the packaging you’re purchasing,” says Issa.
The database provides a snapshot of that information at the end of each month, which wineries can share with their customers so they, too, can see just how sustainably the company is performing. “You can get realistic data on what your winery is doing and how sustainable the winery is,” says Ray Sychowski, a national market manager for Veritiv’s wine and spirits sector. “From the glass to the boxes to even the stretch film that you may not see as the consumer — all the transportation from warehouse to warehouse that they wrap [bottles] in — we have sustainable stuff that doesn’t end up in a landfill for years and years.”
The idea behind the EcoScore Dashboard has evolved over Veritiv’s 20-year existence. While the company has helped companies across industries including health care, manufacturing and rail/mass transit, among others, it didn’t start tracking sustainability efforts until about five years ago. The EcoScore Dashboard launched officially two years ago.
Vetted packaging wineries can trust
Wineries can also use the database to source alternate options for sustainable packaging. Veritiv, which has helped companies across industries with their green needs for the last 20 years, works with various suppliers across the United States, all of which have undergone a rigorous approval process to ensure they meet not only the sustainable certifications required by Veritiv but also those of the state in which they operate.
“The biggest point is, we’re trying to make it easier for the consumer to recycle,” says Sychowski. “Because my generation — and the generations younger than me — are really focusing on that, so we can have something to leave to the next generation. That’s the most important thing when you talk about sustainability. It’s keeping it all around.”
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Janice Brockenberry
Janice Brockenberry is a New York City-based journalist covering wine and spirits. Certified WSET Level II, her work has been featured in print and online publications, including Newsweek, Essence magazine, Wine Enthusiast, VinePair, and SevenFifty Daily, among others. You can follow her work on Instagram @browngirldrinkswine and website janicewilliams.net.
