
Ipswich MP Jack Abbott (left) with Frugalpac CEO Malcolm Waugh at the House of Commons reception
As the Chancellor introduces government policy decisions to prioritise growth and wealth creation, British sustainable packaging company Frugalpac, launched its own Green Growth for Manufacturing Manifesto in the House of Commons printed on their own paper Frugal Bottle.
At the parliamentary event sponsored by Ipswich MP Jack Abbott, Frugalpac CEO Malcolm Waugh outlined the successes and challenges the company has faced since launching its disruptive Frugal Bottle in 2020 and launched a manifesto printed on their paper bottle with the four policies it thinks could boost Green Growth for sustainable packaging in the UK.
They are to establish a UK-based recycled content industry, introduce standardised carbon labelling, nationwide recycling standardisation and reform of R&D tax credits.
The Parliamentary reception marked nearly five years of success with its flagship innovation the Frugal Bottle which is the world’s first commercially available paper bottle for wine, spirits, and edible oils.
Made from 94% recycled paperboard and weighing just 83 grams, Frugal Bottles are up to five times lighter than traditional glass bottles, reducing transportation emissions and offering a carbon footprint that’s up to 84% lower than glass.
63 drinks brands worldwide now use the Frugal Bottle for 127 wines, spirits, and olive oils.
They are available in major UK retailers such as Sainsbury’s and Ocado, as well as 25 countries including Spain, France, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States.
Frugalpac also manufactures and exports the machines that make the bottles and has sold three machines.
- In 2023 Frugalpac sold the first Frugal Bottle Assembly Machine (FBAM-1) to Kinsbrae Packaging in Canada which has been producing low-carbon bottles for over a year.
- This month the second machine sold to Monterey Wine Company in California is going into production.
- A third machine has been sold to Australia and will be installed later this year.
Frugalpac’s commitment to innovation was recently recognised with the King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation in recognition of its groundbreaking contributions to the packaging industry.
Malcolm Waugh launched Frugalpac’s Paper Bottle Green Growth Manifesto - a call to action printed directly on its bottles - as part of its mission to accelerate the transition to a net-zero economy.
The four key policy proposals are:
- Establish a UK-Based Recycled Content Industry: Frugalpac currently imports recycled technical paperboard from Germany, despite the UK recycling over 3.8 million tonnes of paper annually. Establishing a UK-based industry would reduce carbon emissions and create green manufacturing jobs.
- Introduce Standardised Carbon Labelling: A universal carbon labelling system would empower consumers to make informed decisions, driving demand for sustainable products and combating greenwashing.
- Deliver Nationwide Recycling Standardisation: Inconsistent recycling systems across the UK confuse consumers and hinder recycling rates. Frugalpac calls for uniform recycling collections, including soft plastics, to reduce waste.
- Reform R&D Tax Credits: To keep sustainable businesses at the forefront of innovation, Frugalpac advocates for reforms to the R&D tax credit system, supporting the development of next-generation sustainable products.
Speaking after the Chancellor’s speech today (Nov 29), Frugalpac CEO Malcolm Waugh said: "We welcome the Chancellor’s commitment to economic growth, to bringing investment to the UK, while ensuring there will be no trade-off between growth and net zero.
“The green manufacturing sector we are in has huge growth potential both domestically and for exports.
“To go further and faster, we’ve developed this manifesto with four key policy proposals that we think would make a positive difference, create more green jobs and boost growth.
“Firstly, to establish a UK-based recycled content industry as we currently have to import recycled cardboard from Germany to make our paper bottles. Secondly, to a introduce standardised carbon labelling system to help consumers know how sustainable their packaging. Standardising nationwide recycling and finally, the reform of R&D tax credits to keep sustainable businesses at the forefront of innovation.
“These measures will not only help Green Manufacturing SMEs like ours grow but also accelerate the UK’s net-zero ambitions, enhance consumer awareness of green issues, and drive innovation in a critical growth sector of our economy and the economy at large.
“Frugalpac is proud of our achievements over the last five years and building our business through challenging times but this is just the beginning.
“We’re ambitious about the role the Frugal Bottle can play in decarbonising the drinks industry, both here in the UK and globally. We’ve made significant strides, creating a sustainable manufacturing and exporting business that proves what’s possible in green innovation.”
Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich and the Government’s Mission Champion for the East of England, said:
“Frugalpac has been a Great Green British SME success that I am proud to have working and growing in Ipswich.
“The Government has set the ambition for Britain to be a world-leading place for Green SMEs to innovate, invest, and thrive, and I want Ipswich and Suffolk to be at the very heart of that. Frugalpac is leading the way in doing so already, and I look forward to continuing to work with them as they go from strength to strength.”