Glass Container Recycling Gains Momentum
Reports on glass container recycling and education efforts continue to pour in following Recycle Glass Week.
Held September 12-18 to build awareness and boost glass bottle recycling, Recycle Glass Week generated over 55 awareness events in 20 states. Students, consumers, glass container manufacturers, suppliers and recyclers all worked together to collect glass for recycling and share the message that recycling glass bottles and jars has powerful environmental and energy saving benefits. Find out about all events
Here are a few highlights:
Muskogee Youth Prove Winners in Glass Recycling Competition
O-I’s Muskogee, OK, glass manufacturing plant visited nine classrooms during Recycle Glass Week to talk to students about the value of recycling glass containers and to promote a glass recycling collection competition among the classes. The winning class brought in 621 pounds and got a pizza party and $500 towards the teacher's classroom. During the collection event local radio station KTFX had a live remote. In all, the students brought in to the local Muskogee Recycling Center nearly a ton of glass.
Tampa Science Museum Features Glass Recycling Exhibit
Anchor Glass Container partnered with the Tampa Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) to showcase the value of glass bottle recycling. The “recycling exhibit” kicked off during Recycle Glass Week, and featured a display of the raw materials that are used in making glass bottles and jars. GPI postcards and stickers were handed out to visitors. MOSI is known for elaborate exhibits that draw science enthusiasts. The glass recycling exhibit is featured in the “Kids in Charge” area along with other recyclable materials.
Virginia is for Glass Recycling Lovers
Alexandria, VA, kicked off Recycle Glass Week at the Nalls First Annual Nice Neighbor Block Party, a weekend event for family fun. Kids and parents stopped by the Recycle Glass Week booth to learn about the benefits of choosing and recycling glass. They walked away with some great giveaways, including tote bags, t-shirts, spices, stickers and wristbands! And in Toano, Virginia, O-I employees visited local elementary schools to educate students about the benefits of glass recycling.
Racine, WI Brewfest Partners Take on Recycling Glass Beer Bottles
The 2010 Great Lakes Brew Fest, held September 17-19 in downtown Racine, WI generated about 25,000 beer bottles over the course of two 4-hour events. In the past, those bottles were just dumped and landfilled. This year, organizers in partnership with the local Sierra Club and D.P. Wigley Hop To It Brewing & Winemaking Supplies coordinated an effort to recycle and in some cases re-use the glass bottles. They also provided Recycle Glass Week educational materials onsite to attendees. These efforts were recognized by the Mayor John Dickert and the media.
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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.
