Sustainable packaging: Glass gets the spotlight in Recycle Glass Week

"Recycle Glass Week events are proving a powerful tool to bring attention to the value of glass container recycling and ultimately help to reach the goal of using 50 percent recycled glass in the manufacture of new containers by the end of 2013," says Joseph Cattaneo, president of the Glass Packaging Institute.  "Reuse of post-consumer recycled glass containers minimizes consumption of raw materials, lessens the industry's demand for energy, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.  We hope you join us for next year's events. And in the meantime, keep recycling your glass bottles."

During the week, Saint-Gobain Containers educated elementary school students about the importance of choosing and recycling glass in 10 states and continue to reach out to kids across the country through their new virtual Captain Cullet program.  Saint-Gobain Containers and Green Broad Ripple Village in Indianapolis, Indiana, also organized the drop off of 100 glass container recycling bins for Broad Ripple bars and restaurants.  In Salem, New Jersey, and Winchester, Indiana, Anchor Glass Container organized collection drives for glass bottles and jars.  Community members also gathered in Muskogee, Oklahoma for O-I's glass container collection event, and in Houston, Texas, residents rallied during We CAN Recycle Inc's first-ever G-Cycle glass container collection event.

An online virtual scavenger hunt (Recycle Glass Week e-hunt) with chances to win iPod shuffles, t-shirts, cash, and more, was launched to build excitement for GPI's Recycle Glass Week.  The hundreds of consumers who participated were able to learn about the environmental payback when they recycle glass bottles and jars.  Here's what one consumer tweeted: "Thanks so much for your efforts to get the word out on glass recycling and for developing that e-scavenger hunt.  I thought it was a really cool interactive way to get people involved."  The success of the e-hunt shows that individuals are interested in recycling to help create a greener future.

For the second time as a part of Recycle Glass Week, GPI recognized six "Friends of Glass" in four categories. This recognition honors those companies, organizations, and persons making significant and innovative efforts to promote or participate in glass container recycling for bottle-to-bottle use.  The 2010 "Friends of Glass" honorees are Container Recycling Institute (website); MGM Resorts International (hospitality industry); We CAN Recycle Inc. (organization); and in the Best Friends of Glass category, Boulevard Brewing Company, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, and LiDestri.

Finally, GPI honored 10 consumer products goods companies for expanding the frontiers of glass package design with its 21st annual Clear Choice Awards. The winning package designs demonstrate that glass continues to be the "clear choice" for consumers who want a package that offers a premium look and feel and also protects the products they are buying. The Boston Beer Company took the prize for Overall Package Design with their Samuel Adams Barrel Room Collection.  A full list of Clear Choice Awards 2010 winners -- with photos -- is on the GPI website at www.gpi.org.

SOURCE: The Glass Packaging Institute