The Reusable Packaging Association (RPA) named reusable packaging manufacturer Liviri’s project with Alejandro Bulgheroni Wines the winner of the 2020 Excellence in Reusable Packaging award program.

The recognition is for Bulgheroni’s 2020 implementation of the Liviri Vino⁶, a reusable, temperature-controlled wine shipping container. The container demonstrates the cost savings and environmental impact reductions in replacing traditional insulated corrugated shipping boxes with the reusable box.

Wine bottlesare typically packed in single-use corrugated cardboard shippers with expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation and single-use cooling gel packs. These single use containers do not have enough insulation or coolant to protect wine if travelling a long distance or through very hot or very cold areas, so 2-day air or express freight is often used to improve the likelihood that the wine stays in its target temperature zone. Liviri Vino features aerospace-grade insulation, secure quick-clip latches for easy opening, and a single reusable ice pack designed to slide into the center compartment of the container, creating the most efficient thermal performance. The result is significantly better temperature control, so wine can be shipped via ground transportation and avoid costly and environmentally damaging air express methods.

“Liviri Vino is reusable, which makes it not only functional, but also sustainable. Our goals are to limit the seasonality of the wine shipping industry, greatly reduce single-use packaging and produce environmentally preferable reusable, shipping solutions that can be recycled at end of life,” said Brian Jacoby, Sr. Vice President Liviri Sales, “Demand is high during the most challenging shipping months, but due to the risk of frozen or ‘cooked’ wine, shipments are extremely limited and must be sent via air express. Liviri Vino opens up these months to regular shipping practices for our customers, like Alejandro Bulgheroni Wines.”

The Liviri team engaged environmental consultancy Sphera to perform a Life Cycle Assessment to quantify the environmental impact of Liviri Vino.  According to the LCA and even with two legs of ground transportation and return shipment, Liviri Vino outperformed single-use shippers. The container is molded of polypropylene, which is end-of-life recyclable. at. Also, real-world tests conducted by Liviri have shown that Liviri Vino is capable of maintaining wine within an acceptable temperature window of 35 º to 70º F for up to five days during extreme hot or cold conditions, giving wine producers added flexibility in shipping to customers.

The RPA Excellence in Reusable Packaging award recognizes companies and organizations that have developed and implemented innovative and measurable reusable packaging solutions in a business-to-business supply chain.