Bacardi Expands Cruise Packaging Pact After Carnival Waste Cuts
The model uses reusable four-and-a-half-liter ecoTOTEs, each equal to six standard bottles, with SmartPour dispensing and CircularONE tracking systems.
Bacardi and ecoSPIRITS have expanded a cruise-sector circular packaging collaboration that began on Carnival Cruise Line ships in August 2023 and has since eliminated more than 130,000 single-use glass bottles and more than 82,000 kilograms of packaging waste. The new global agreement gives Bacardi access to ecoSPIRITS’ circular technology platform and formalizes joint technical work on systems for demanding operating environments, including cruise ships.
The companies said the Carnival pilot ran without compromising product quality or onboard operating performance. Bacardi and ecoSPIRITS described the original deployment as the first introduction of circular packaging in the cruise sector by a spirits company.
Cruise pilot becomes broader technical agreement
“Since then, we’ve demonstrated what this model can deliver in a complex, high-volume environment,” said Paul Gabie, CEO of ecoSPIRITS. He said the new agreement creates a framework to examine “broader future opportunities” across additional channels and sectors.
Rodolfo Nervi, VP, corporate sustainability, global safety and quality at Bacardi, said expanding circular packaging “builds on real progress we’ve already made to reduce waste across our portfolio.” Bacardi’s portfolio spans more than 200 brands and labels, including Bacardí rum, Patrón tequila, Grey Goose vodka, Dewar’s whisky, Bombay Sapphire gin and Martini & Rossi vermouth and sparkling wines.
The agreement covers ecoSPIRITS’ full platform: ecoTOTE reusable containers, SmartPour dispensing technology, ecoPLANT refill and sanitation infrastructure, and the CircularONE software platform. The model replaces part of the single-use bottle flow with reusable 4.5-liter ecoTOTEs, each equivalent to six standard bottles, supported by dispensing and container-tracking systems.
Hardware adapted for shipboard operations
Bacardi also provided input into the ecoTOTE 3.0SC Cruise Edition, a version designed for maritime use. The container uses a glass internal vessel inside an aluminum chassis and HDPE enclosure, with corrosion-resistant anodizing and fasteners intended for secure storage at sea. The Cruise Edition is designed for about 100 to 150 reuse cycles and includes tamper-evident seals and hygiene modifications for U.S. Public Health compliance.
Future rollout details remain limited
The announcement did not identify additional cruise operators, vessels or Bacardi brands for the next phase. The companies set no shipboard expansion timetable.
