Baileys Shakeado Corajillo & Ecoware: Turning a Shaker into a Sustainability Symbol

Challenge

Replace Plastic without Compromise

In a time where consumers expect brands to act, not just talk, Baileys teamed up with Auténtico Corajillo and Ecoware to take a bold step: replace the single-use plastic shaker of their new ready-to-drink Baileys Shakeado Corajillo with a more sustainable alternative. The result: an eco-shaker made partly from agave-fibre, helping reduce plastics, repurpose agricultural by-products and reinforce brand responsibility.

Auténtico Corajillo’s growing ready-to-drink product had a popular format: a plastic shaker containing espresso and Baileys Irish Cream, ready for consumption. While convenient, the single-use plastic component was increasingly misaligned with shifting consumer values and environmental commitments.

The challenge was clear: how do you reduce the amount of plastic used, maintain performance and aesthetics, and still deliver a premium experience in the modern-trade channel? Importantly, the solution had to respect brand image, meet production requirements and support sustainability goals.

Solution

Ecoware converted the standard plastic shaker into a BIO version by substituting a portion of polypropylene with agave-fibre composite (PolyAgave). By making this substitution, the project supports the tequila-industry by-product stream (over 1 million tons of agave bagasse yearly) and redirects waste toward value-added packaging.

Key features of the solution:

• A durable shaker capable of holding beverage content while offering brand visibility
• Material innovation that replaced a significant portion of fossil-based polymer with natural fibre content
• Alignment with circular economy principles: converting agricultural waste into a marketing asset
• Delivery in the modern-trade channel, supporting the Baileys Shakeado Corajillo campaign

Results

The Impact: Sustainability Meets Brand Strength

By embracing this innovation, Baileys and Auténtico Corajillo along with Ecoware achieved multiple benefits:

• Reduced carbon footprint: The use of agave-fibre reduced reliance on petroleum-derived plastics, eliminated waste, and mitigated CO₂ emissions associated with disposal.
• Material circularity: Agave bagasse, previously an agro-industrial waste stream, now gains value and functionality through packaging.
• Brand positioning: The eco-shaker functioned not just as packaging but as a statement—demonstrating brand commitment to sustainability and resonating with purpose-driven consumers.
• Consumer perception: Although exact sales numbers weren’t disclosed, the qualitative result was clear: the eco-innovation amplified brand equity and differentiated the product in a crowded ready-to-drink segment.

Strategic Lessons: What Brands Can Learn

1. Material innovation drives relevance – Substituting plastic with agave-based composites isn’t merely an eco decision—it’s a strategic differentiator in the shelf arena.
2. Packaging matters as communication – Every touchpoint, including the shaker, becomes a brand messenger. By choosing sustainable materials, the brand message extends beyond product into purpose.
3. Waste streams as value streams – The agave fibre innovation highlights how agro-industry waste can become a marketing asset, reducing environmental load and creating narrative strength.
4. Modern trade demands actionable sustainability – It’s no longer enough to claim green values; consumers expect tangible changes, and businesses must deliver them visibly.
5. Performance cannot be compromised – The solution met consumer expectations of aesthetics, durability and convenience — showing that sustainable formats can match or exceed standard offerings.

Conclusion: From Single-Use to Stand-Out

The Shaker Bio project for Baileys Shakeado Corajillo exemplifies how packaging innovation can bridge the gap between brand experience and environmental responsibility. By replacing a standard plastic component with agave-fibre composite, the three-way partnership delivered: a reduction of waste, a reinforcement of brand promise, and a compelling story for consumption.

In an era where how a brand shows up matters as much as what it sells, Baileys and Auténtico Corajillo—supported by Ecoware—proved that one small component can make a big difference. When packaging becomes purposeful, a product stops being just another option and becomes a statement.

Know more about our ecofriendly products.