Glass is safe for you and the environment. What more could you want out of a package?
Glass is Pure.
Glass is made from all-natural, sustainable raw materials. It is the preferred packaging for consumer health and the environment. Consumers prefer glass packaging:
- for maintaining the purity of food and beverages (78 percent),
- preserving a product’s taste or flavor (75 percent),
- and maintaining the integrity or healthiness of foods and beverages (82 percent)
(According to a 2006 survey conducted by Newton Marketing & Research of Norman, Oklahoma.)
Glass is the only packaging material rated “GRAS” or “generally regarded as safe” by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
Glass has a Premium Image.
No other packaging material matches the shelf impact of glass.
The clarity, shape, and feel of glass containers contribute to the premium image of products ranging from fine perfumes to liquor to gourmet foods and beverages.
Glass is 100% Recyclable.
- Glass is 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly with no loss in quality or purity.
- Glass recycling is a closed loop system, creating no additional waste or by-products.
- Glass is a mono-material, meaning it is not made up of several different materials.
Glass is Sustainable.
Recycling glass reduces consumption of raw materials, extends the life of plant equipment, such as furnaces, and saves energy.
Energy costs drop about 2-3% for every 10% recycled glass used in the glass making process. Recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to power a 60-watt bulb for four hours, a computer for 30 minutes or a television for 20 minutes.
Every 10% increase in recycled glass =
- 10% decrease in sulfur dioxide (SO2)
- 6% decrease in nitrogen oxide (NOx)
- 17% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2)
- 2.5% reduction in electricity and natural gas
- 6 degree Celsius reduction in furnace temperature
- 9.5% reduction in raw materials
MonaVie, maker of acai berry juice-based nutritional and energy drink products, recently introduced MonaVie (M)mūn (pronounced “em-mune”) daily defense in 750 mL glass bottles. Each bottle contains a blend of 19 fruits and the ingredient Wellmune, which is formulated to optimize the body’s natural defenses and support the immune system. Four ounces of MonaVie (M)mūn delivers 250 mg of Wellmune as well as superfruit juices acai and maqui.
Order the Flexo Color Guide - Edition X »
Use our Carbon Calculator to find out how much energy you can save by recycling your glass containers.
About the institute
The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is the trade association representing the North American glass container industry. Through GPI, glass container manufacturers speak with one voice to advocate industry standards, promote sound environmental policies and educate packaging professionals. GPI member companies manufacture glass containers for food, beverage, cosmetic and many other products. GPI also has associate members that represent a broad range of suppliers and closure manufacturers.
