That's a wrap: Four Pillars switch to sustainable plastic products

Four Pillars continues to embrace sustainable business practices, transitioning to landfill-biodegradable plastic products from Melbourne-based producer Biogone.

Nicole Poole, Bottling Manager at Four Pillars, said although initially nervous that biodegradable plastic products wouldn’t hold up, she’s been pleasantly surprised by the quality and durability.

“I initially began looking for environmentally responsible plastic alternatives that would have the strength and quality to be use daily while helping us meet our sustainability goals. We wanted the practical durability with an eco-conscious edge. That’s a combination which had been eluding us until we found Biogone.

“I was a bit hesitant to start with, as we were worried the quality wouldn’t hold up to what we had used in the past, seeing that each pallet of Four Pillars Gin has a weight of one tonne. We needed to keep those pallets wrapped tightly and secured for transporting all around the world,” she said.

The Four Pillars team initially started using the landfill-biodegradable machine stretch wrap, pallet strapping and pallet caps, which performed to the same level as the conventional products they’d used before.

“Once we saw the quality of Biogone, we also started using other products in their range, including their landfill-biodegradable packing tape and bin liners. And the whole team love the bin liners as they are really strong and don’t rip, once filled,” said Poole.

In line with Four Pillars’ sustainability goals, Michelle Hall, Director of Operations at Biogone, said achieving sustainability isn’t only about the big items, it’s about looking at each area of the business to reduce overall environmental impact.

“We attained Carbon Neutral accreditation in 2022 which is for the business and our products. In our mind, this is very much the starting point of our sustainability plan. Having had our carbon emissions audited independently, we now have a better understanding of how we can improve.

“We are also on the cusp of launching our sustainability plan, which will hold us to account and encourage continual improvement,” said Hall.

Poole said it’s all about planning for the future when considering sustainability. “It is so much easier to start with sustainability in mind rather than retro fit it into a business.

“Also, look at it as a long-term investment in the business. Costs might be higher, but in the long run, it will be beneficial,” she said.

Acknowledging the hard work Four Pillars have put into their environmental goals, the gin distillers won the Inaugural Green Spirit Initiative Trophy at the IWSC in 2022 and the Sustainable Distillery of the Year Trophy at the World Gin Awards in 2023.

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