U.S. EPA Reports Glass Container Recycling Jumped to 31% in 2009
The U.S. EPA has released its latest report on municipal solid waste in the U.S., including new national recycling data. Results for 2009 show that 39% of glass beer and soft drink bottles were recycled, 18.1% of wine and liquor bottles and nearly 18% of other glass bottles and jars. In all, 31.1% of glass containers were recycled in 2009, up from 28% in 2008.
Glass represents 4.8% of all the municipal solid waste before recycling, down slightly from the 4.9% in 2008. Just over 9.6 million tons of glass containers were in the MSW stream in 2009, of which 3 million tons were recycled.
Overall, the report found that in 2009 Americans generated about 243 million tons of trash—8 million fewer tons than in 2008. The U.S. recycled and composted 82 million tons, for a 33.8% national recycling rate. Get the full report
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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.
