Long Rays to save 7 million bottles from landfill
- Written by Red Stockholm
In an Australian first, Queensland-based Long Rays has developed an innovative new Fountain to improve the service of its drinks while reducing environmental impact.
The Fountain is being installed in select venues across the country, with the aim to remove seven million single-serve soda and tonic glass bottles from circulation over three years.
This sophisticated system is designed for boutique bars, distilleries and restaurants and for the first time offers premium spirit drinkers a premium Australian mixer whilst reducing waste.
With drinks like gin and tonic and vodka, lime and soda being popular orders, the Fountain brings an element of theatre to the experience for customers – even if they aren’t ordering from the cocktail menu.
Long Rays founder Shivam Reddy conceived the idea after speaking with venues about how much waste they generate from glass bottles on a weekend.
He said the Long Rays Fountain solves this problem, plus many more for venues.
“Bars go through hundreds of glass bottles on a busy night and those bottles are not only heavy to transport, but each one has to be individually unpacked and chilled.
“This takes time and effort, only for the bottles to be thrown away at the end of the night.” The Long Rays Fountain holds 13 cases of tonic and soda water.
“This saves glass, cardboard cartons, labels and bottle caps from landfill, and reduces storage and refrigeration requirements, which all play a part in minimising environmental impact,” said Shivam.
“Importantly, the design of the Fountain also adds to the experience of ordering a drink.
“So even though it streamlines logistics and service for venues, it also adds something new and unexpected for the customer.
“When people see the Fountain, they know every element in their glass is top-shelf.”
The first Long Rays Fountain will be revealed at Covent Garden Gin Bar & Restaurant in Brisbane’s West End on Wednesday 10 March and the second at Patient Wolf Distillery in Melbourne on 24 April with further Australia wide installs planned.
“It’s a real point of difference for us – now when a customer selects a boutique spirit from the shelf, we can complement it with an Australian tonic or soda water poured from the Long Rays Fountain, which creates a bespoke experience.
“Plus, it will immediately reduce the number of bottles we need to recycle, save fridge space and speed up service and drink preparation at the bar.”
Long Rays Tonic and Soda water is currently available at select bottle shops and venues. For more information about Long Rays, visit long-rays.com.au or follow Long Rays social media.
Infused with natural ingredients for great taste with less sugar, the Long Rays range puts a refreshing spin on the classics. Our Premium Australian Tonic and Soda is made from locally sourced ingredients for a refined and balanced drink.
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