2011 Friends of Glass Honorees
GPI honors a website, hospitality organization, community/organization, and best friends of glass for making innovative and significant efforts to promote or participate in glass container recycling.
Saratoga Water Company
2011 Best Friend of Glass
Since 1872 Saratoga Spring Water has been providing the world with the finest spring water products packaged in the iconic blue glass bottles. Today Saratoga Spring Water is the definitive choice for upscale establishments and discerning customers. For years, one of the company’s goals has been to achieve minimal impact through waste reduction: purchasing recycled content materials, reusing and recycling office supplies, and minimizing production waste. Saratoga Spring Water also purchases wind-generated renewable energy certificates. This green power commitment has radiated throughout the company, as employees, employee’s families, and customers make it their personal and professional mission to reduce their environmental impact and to adapt a business model incorporating environmental responsibility.
Eden Foods, Inc.
2011 Best Friend of Glass
Eden foods announced they would package their organic crushed tomatoes and sauces in protective amber glass jars. They are the only tomatoes in the U.S.A. packed in amber glass, protecting flavor and nutrients from light damage. The driving force at Eden Foods for these amber glass jars of tomatoes was the avoidance of bisphenol-A (BPA) in high acid food cans.
Ecotopia
2011 Friend of Glass - Social Media Game (Website)
Nonprofit group Conservation International, partnered with Talkie to roll out the eco-conscious game Ecotopia. The free-to-play facebook game wraps compelling gameplay with philanthropy and real-world involvement. Ecotopia is the first social game to encourage and empower users to conduct environmental good in the real world, which can be redeemed for rewards in the game world. Another fun aspect of the game is Ecotopia TV where players can view videos including GPI’s Glass Recycling PSA and videos uploaded by players for monthly eco-friendly contests.
Two Guys In Vermont
2011 Best Friend of Glass
Two Guys In Vermont is a line of plant-based, all natural soups. They source all of their ingredients from local farms in Vermont. They deliberately package their soups in glass jars to avoid BPA and because they deemed it the most sustainable material. They were the first company to take the “Ask For Glass” pledge on Facebook.
Blue Skies Recycling
2011 Friend of Glass - Organization
Blue Skies Recycling focuses on recycling glass bottles and food waste at Busch Stadium, the Edward Jones Dome, and other large venues as well as over 35 bars and restaurants in the St. Louis, MO areas. They collect up to 10 tons/month of mixed glass, which is taken to Strategic Materials for processing and then to glass manufacturers for new bottles and other glass products. Glass is collected in either 96-gallon carts or 20-yard roll-off containers for higher volume customers. Their primary goal is to make it easier for the foodservice industry to recycle glass bottles.
Glass Act
2011 Friend of Glass - Community Program
“Glass Act” began in late 2010 as an initiative of Marion County Recycling and Litter Prevention in Ohio. The goal was to move the large amount of glass bottles going to trash at local foodservice businesses in to the recycling stream. The program now averages over 8 tons/month of mixed glass collected for recycling from about 35 bars and restaurants—and growing. To get the program started, they used a $10,000 Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention grant plus a 50% match from Ohio Galvanizing. Most of the grant funds were used for indoor and outdoor collection containers, covering these costs for participants. Participating bars and restaurants include everything from the Applebee’s chain to local sports bars and smaller restaurants.
Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza
Friend of Glass - Restaurant
Pete’s new Haven Style Apizza is a chef-driven Italian restaurant specializing in New Haven style pizza. They are locally owned and committed to the neighborhoods they choose for their locations. They use all natural and locally sourced ingredients. They are dedicated to using healthy ingredients, respecting and accommodating those with food allergies and dietary restrictions, and preserving the environment through conservation, recycling, use of biodegradable materials and employing energy efficient practices. Their restaurants only carry beverages in glass bottles.
Constellation Brands
2011 Best Friend of Glass
Constellation Brands was founded in 1945 by Marvin Sands as a small, family-owned wine company in Canandaigua, New York. Since that time, Constellation has focused on building sustainable growth by staying true to its core values and small business philosophies that are the cornerstone of its inspiring heritage and foundation. Today, Constellation is the world’s leading premium wine company with a broad portfolio of widely admired premium products across the wine, beer and spirits categories. As part of its ongoing sustainability efforts, Constellation has transitioned over 30 million bottles to Verallia’s eco-conceived line of wine bottles, the ECO Series(TM), since the series launch in 2009. Constellation recognizes the positive benefits of glass as it preserves the quality and taste of the product inside, contributes to the premium image of Constellation’s brands and is the sustainable packaging choice.
related items
GPI 2011 Friends of Glass • EDEN Foods
GPI 2011 Friends of Glass • Glass Act
GPI 2011 Friends of Glass • Two Guys in Vermont
GPI 2011 Friends of Glass • Pete's New Haven Style Apizza
Mark Austin, President and Founder of We CAN Recycle, Receives Friends of Glass Award
Made with organic fruit from California Wild Poppy Juice is sweetened with organic agave nectar and mixed with spices from around the world. The flavors include: Blood Orange Chili, Peppermint Lemonade, Plum Licorice, Peach Vanilla and Grapefruit Ginger. The bright colored juices are packaged in 10 oz. glass bottles with applied ceramic labeling.
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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.
