Canadian province Ontario is leading the move toward lightweight bottling by setting a maximum weight on the wines it approves, an article on www.decanter.com says. The state-controlled Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) has said it will not stock any wines packaged in a bottle weighing more than 420g from 1 January 2013.

The board said, 'Given the environmental impact associated with producing, shipping and recycling glass, we’d ideally like to see all of our containers come down in weight. While we do not anticipate the development of a standard maximum weight for CAN$15 or over wines at this time, favourable consideration will be given to product offers that are lower in weight'.

With more South African wineries becoming eco-concious of their bottles and packaging, and the success of local products like Backsberg's PET-bottles, lighter bottles across most brands cannot be far off.