Johnnie Walker whisky will soon be available in a paper-based bottle that’s 100 per cent plastic-free.

Since first being launched by grocer Johnnie Walker in 1820 in the Scottish burgh of Kilmarnock, Johnnie Walker whisky has become a worldwide household name, becoming arguably the most popular blended Scotch whisky across the globe.

Now 200 years after it was first conceived, Johnnie Walker whisky is debuting an innovative new bottle made with the aim of protecting the environment when disposed.

Diageo, the company that owns Johnnie Walker whisky, revealed that it has created what it describes as “the world’s first ever 100 per cent plastic-free paper-based spirits bottle”, which it will launch in early 2021 with Johnnie Walker whisky.

The bottle, which is made of sustainably-sourced wood, has been created through a collaboration with venture management company Pilot Lite and sustainable packaging technology company Pulpex Limited.

“Pulpex Limited has developed a ‘first-of-its-kind’ scalable paper-based bottle designed and developed to be 100 per cent plastic-free and expected to be fully recyclable,” Diageo stated.

“The bottle is made from sustainably sourced pulp to meet food-safe standards and will be fully recyclable in standard waste streams.”

Diageo stressed that the creation of the bottle will hopefully inspire other firms to “rethink their packaging designs” while at the same time “not compromising on the existing quality of the product”.

Last month, a paper wine bottle was launched as an eco-friendly alternative to the standard glass and plastic bottles currently available on the market.