Carbon Footprint of a Wine Bottle (750ml): LCA Benchmark (10,000 Simulations)
Last updated: 2026-03-24
Based on 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations using the Ecoinvent 3.9.1 database and aligned with ISO 14040/44, the carbon footprint of a 750ml wine bottle has a median of 1.9 kg CO₂e per bottle. Results range from 1.5 kg CO₂e at the 10th percentile to 2.3 kg CO₂e at the 90th percentile, reflecting real-world variability in production methods, glass composition, and supply chains. This benchmark draws on 14 data sources, including published EPDs, peer-reviewed literature, and industry datasets.
How Much CO₂ Does a Wine Bottle (750ml) Produce?
Impact Score Scale (A to E)
| Score | Rating | Range |
|---|---|---|
| A | Excellent | 0.00 – 1.66 kg CO₂e/L |
| B | Good | 1.66 – 1.82 kg CO₂e/L |
| C | Average | 1.82 – 1.95 kg CO₂e/L |
| D | Below Average | 1.95 – 2.12 kg CO₂e/L |
| E | High Impact | 2.12 – + kg CO₂e/L |
Phase Contribution Overview
LCA Phase Breakdown: Where Do the Emissions Come From?
| Phase | Median (kg CO₂e) | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Materials | 1.00 | |
| Manufacturing | 0.74 | |
| Packaging | 0.02 | |
| Transport | 0.08 | |
| Use Phase | 0.00 | |
| End of Life | 0.04 |
Key Findings
- The median carbon footprint of a 750ml wine bottle is 1.9 kg CO₂e, with a mean of 1.9 kg CO₂e across 10,000 simulations.
- The 80th percentile range spans from 1.5 kg CO₂e (P10) to 2.3 kg CO₂e (P90), indicating a spread of approximately 0.75 kg CO₂e driven by variability in glass manufacturing energy sources, recycled content, and regional logistics.
- The standard deviation of 0.3 kg CO₂e represents about 17% of the median value, confirming meaningful but bounded variability across different production scenarios.
- 10 published Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) were identified and incorporated as reference points, lending additional credibility to the simulated distribution.
How This Benchmark Compares to Published Data
Methodology: ISO 14040 Monte Carlo Simulation
This benchmark is produced by running 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations over uncertainty ranges derived from the Ecoinvent 3.9.1 life cycle inventory database, following ISO 14040/44 principles. Probability distributions are applied to key input parameters to capture real-world variability, and aggregate statistics (median, mean, P10, P90, standard deviation) are reported across all simulation runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the carbon footprint of a wine bottle (750ml)?
The median carbon footprint of a 750ml wine bottle is 1.9 kg CO₂e per bottle. The typical range, covering the middle 80% of simulation outcomes, runs from 1.5 kg CO₂e to 2.3 kg CO₂e. The mean across all 10,000 simulations is also 1.9 kg CO₂e, indicating a fairly symmetrical distribution without extreme outliers dominating the results.
How is this benchmark calculated?
We run 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations using the Ecoinvent 3.9.1 life cycle inventory database, following ISO 14040/44 methodology. Each simulation randomly samples from probability distributions assigned to key input parameters — such as energy consumption, material composition, and transport distances — to capture uncertainty and real-world variability. The resulting distribution of outcomes is then summarised using the median, mean, standard deviation, and percentile ranges (P10 and P90).
Which life cycle phase contributes the most?
Phase-level contribution data is not broken out in this aggregate benchmark. However, for glass wine bottles, the most carbon-intensive phases typically include the manufacturing of the glass itself — which is energy-intensive — along with raw material extraction and transportation. The degree to which recycled glass (cullet) is used, and the energy mix of the production facility, are among the key factors that drive differences between the lower and upper ends of our simulated range (1.5 to 2.3 kg CO₂e).
How can I reduce the carbon footprint of my wine bottle (750ml)?
Several factors can move a wine bottle's footprint toward the lower end of the 1.5–2.3 kg CO₂e range. Using glass with higher recycled content (cullet) significantly reduces the energy required in furnace operations. Sourcing from glassworks powered by renewable or low-carbon energy also lowers manufacturing emissions. Lightweighting the bottle — reducing its mass while maintaining structural integrity — cuts both material use and transport emissions. Finally, optimising logistics routes and consolidating shipments can reduce transport-related contributions across the supply chain.
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