Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
How are UK drinks brands managing glass packaging cost increases, and what negotiation strategies are working?
Members have faced dramatic glass packaging price increases in 2022, ranging from 17% to over 20% from major suppliers, with some seeing increases as high as 35% for European-sourced glass. The increases are primarily driven by energy cost spikes rather than material scarcity. **Negotiation and pushback strategies:** - **Request pricing logic** — Push back on increases and ask suppliers to provide detailed maths and justification behind the price rise figures. - **Secure stock with forward purchase orders** — If your supplier already has inventory pre-ordered or in stock in the UK, negotiate a purchase order for a chunk of glass at the old pricing before the increase date takes effect. This locks in pre-increase rates. - **Compare notes with peers** — Members are actively sharing specific increase percentages and supplier names (e.g. Allied Glass, Bruni) to understand whether offers are in line with market reality and to identify negotiating positions. **Key suppliers mentioned:** - **Allied Glass** — UK supplier; increases quoted at 19–20%+ - **Bruni** — German/European manufacturer; bespoke bottles carry long lead times (10 months+) and high setup costs (£25k+), limiting flexibility to switch **Caveats:** Members noted that even UK manufacturers are passing through the same energy-driven increases, so the issue is sector-wide. If you're locked into a bespoke bottle with a supplier like Bruni, you have limited recourse to reject the increase without restarting an expensive, lengthy production process. Securing pre-ordered stock before price-change dates is the most concrete tactic identified so far.
How can I dispose of large quantities of glass waste responsibly without paying disposal costs?
Glass disposal typically costs money—it's not like cardboard where you get paid for bales. However, there are a few routes members have identified: - **One-off collections through your existing waste provider** — contact your usual waste collection company to arrange a single collection; this is usually affordable - **Biffa** — if you don't have an existing waste account, they can handle one-off tips and recycling collections - **Allied Glass or similar glass manufacturers** — given current shortages of recycled glass for manufacturers, it may be worth reaching out directly to see if they'll accept large quantities; they might even take it off your hands for free given market conditions - **Your local recycling centre (Smugglers Way or equivalent)** — you can do one-off drop-offs, though large volumes may require a van hire (e.g. ZipVan) depending on quantity Members noted that the UK currently has a shortage of recycled glass and is a net exporter, making glass valuable to domestic manufacturers. Before assuming you'll pay, contact a local glass manufacturer to check if your volume is worth their collection. **Caveat:** Glass disposal is not typically free like some other waste streams. Scale matters—clarify how large your volume is before approaching suppliers, as this affects whether they'll cover collection costs.
What glass alternatives and sourcing strategies are available given recent price increases and supply constraints?
Glass prices have risen sharply (Juniper bottles nearly doubled); members are exploring both alternatives and creative sourcing to manage costs and supply security. **Bulk forward-ordering:** - **Saverglass** — members who placed large orders mid-2022 secured decorated bottles through March 2023 onwards, though lead times remain uncertain. This strategy requires capital and risk tolerance but hedges against price spikes. **Alternative materials and decoration:** - **Custom bespoke bottles** — one member is pursuing a blue-glass bottle using their own moulds to eliminate the painting step, reducing downstream decoration costs. - **Clear glass + external decoration** — buying plain clear bottles, then outsourcing decoration (painting and screenprinting) to a third party. **Seaways** was mentioned as a potential decorator partner; members were seeking other bottler-decorator recommendations. **Alternative packaging materials:** - Members note that glass alternatives are emerging (e.g. **Avallen** using alternatives), and wider adoption could drive economies of scale. However, no specific alternative materials or suppliers are detailed in this discussion; members acknowledge "there is nothing quite like" traditional glass for certain product categories. **Caveats:** Supply agreements can still surprise with late changes; forward-ordering requires significant upfront capital commitment. Alternatives remain limited and may not suit all product types or markets (e.g., export to the US and Mexico face separate logistical constraints unrelated to packaging choice alone).