City of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Natural Resource Department

Web site

http://www.fcgov.com/recycling

Contact Information for Media

Susie Gordon
215 N. Mason
Fort Collins, CO 80521
SGordon@fcgov.com

About Cooperation Karma

The City of Fort Collins Glass Separation Campaign: What's Your Bottle Karma?

In 2007, the Northern Colorado communities of Fort Collins and Loveland in Larimer County began listening to reports of major material losses in community recycling programs. Reports claimed a 70 to 80% loss in glass when glass was placed in commingled bins curbside or at drop-off locations around the region. Essentially, four “recycled” bottles in a six pack were ending up used at landfills as “alternative daily cover” material - not exactly what most citizens felt met the definition of recycling!

The problem was in the complexity of the recovery. Commingled single-stream recycling (the mix of paper materials, glass, plastic and metal cans collected in one container) require sorting facilities that cannot recover the large amounts of broken glass that make up the residential glass stream. The response from the two cities and the county agency was clear. They needed their community members to sort glass in 'glass only bins' that would bypass single-stream sorting facilities and go directly to bottling plants.

In 2009, glass only bins were added to drop-off centers in Fort Collins and Loveland, and at the Larimer County landfill, followed by launch of a “What's Your Bottle Karma?” campaign. Raising community awareness about the issues of glass recovery - and the solution - were the key to reversing the current trend.

It now seems that Fort Collins and Loveland are only the beginning of the Northern Colorado glass separation campaign. Colorado State University is now asking off-campus students “what's the bottle Karma of your home?” and local breweries such as New Belgium Brewery Company are investigating ways they can help support the program.

Cooperation between Loveland, Fort Collins, Larimer County, local breweries and the University will continue to expand the glass separation campaign and promote community participation, resulting in the recovery of even more glass in Northern Colorado. These communities and partners see this program as just the beginning to improve their bottle Karma.

Hyatt Regency Atlanta

Company Website

www.hyattregencyatlanta.com

Contact Information for Media

Terrie Ward
Director Public Relations
Hyatt Regency Atlanta
404 460-6402

About Hyatt Regency Atlanta

An Atlanta landmark since its inception in 1967, Hyatt Regency Atlanta is located in the heart of downtown Atlanta on Peachtree Street. The 1,260-room hotel is the first contemporary atrium hotel in the world and is one of the nation's premier convention and tradeshow facilities with 180,000 square feet of ballroom, exhibit, and meeting and hospitality space.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests feel more than welcome. Thousands of members of the Hyatt family in 45 countries strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they encounter every day by providing authentic hospitality. The company’s subsidiaries manage, franchise, own and develop hotels and resorts under the Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Andaz™, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Place® and Hyatt Summerfield Suites™ brand names and have locations under development on five continents. Hyatt Vacation Ownership, Inc., a Hyatt Hotels Corporation subsidiary, develops and operates vacation ownership properties under the Hyatt Vacation Club® brand. As of June 30, 2009, the company’s worldwide portfolio consisted of 413 properties. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

Glass Container Recycling Achievement

Hyatt Regency Atlanta currently recycles glass bottles and since glass by weight equals over 80 percent of our containers, we will only work with recycling companies that take glass containers.

Future Plans

Hyatt Regency Atlanta will continue to look for new and innovative ways on the recycling front as it pertains to glass. Since glass containers are 100 percent recyclable and can be recycled endlessly, we will make sure that glass is recycled in an ongoing basis.

Earth911.com

Web site

http://earth911.com

Contact Information for Media

Jennifer Berry - Public & Strategic Relations Manager
jberry@earth911.com
480-889-2650x27
Earth911.com
1375 N. Scottsdale Rd., Suite 360
Scottsdale, AZ 85257

About Earth911.com

Earth911.com is an environmental services company that addresses product end-of-life solutions for businesses and consumers. We provide the platform and tools needed to support recycling and proper disposal for various products once their purpose is served, giving the people who buy them a number of ways to participate in companies’ sustainability initiatives. Through its innovative Local Recycling and Proper Disposal Database, Earth911.com hosts recycling and disposal information for hundreds of products in over 110,000 listings across the country. Additionally, daily news, exclusive features and weekly emails provide more ways to inform and help people connect with the sustainability issues related to the products they buy.

Glass Container Recycling Achievement

With over 13,000 glass recycling services listed in its award-winning Recycling and Proper Disposal Database, Earth911.com provides a comprehensive overview of where and how consumers can get involved in recycling this material in their communities.

Additionally, across the millions of recycling and proper disposal queries carried out each year on this database, “glass” is a top 10 most searched item, with the most searches coming from California, Texas and Pennsylvania.

Earth911.com has also worked to keep readers informed about innovations in the glass industry, such as companies using lighter wine bottles that reduce carbon emissions, along with furniture and even homes constructed with reused glass.

From local recycling searches to comments on news and feature stories, Earth911.com’s readers, and the businesses it works with, are highly engaged in the issues facing a product when it reaches the end of its usable life. And when it comes to glass, a material that can be recycled and reused endlessly, they understand the far-reaching benefits inherent in the amount of energy and virgin materials conserved through this simple action.

Future Plans

As Earth911.com moves forward, it aims to continue growing its relationships with businesses looking to promote environmentally sound solutions for their products’ end-of-life. With an ever-brightening spotlight on producer responsibility for the recovery, recycling and management of products throughout their life cycle, Earth911.com hopes to remain an innovator in providing meaningful ways to support companies in these endeavors.

By nourishing these connections, everyday consumers directly benefit, having increased access to programs and resources to help them reduce energy and materials wasted in landfilled products, potential pollution caused by improper disposal and improve the quality of the areas where they work and live.

GPI honors a website, hospitality organization, legislator, community, and best friends of glass for making innovative and significant efforts to promote or participate in glass container recycling. Find out who the honorees are and what they’re doing to make a difference below.

Earth911.com

2009 Friend of Glass - Website

Recycling glass with Earth911.com’s award-winning database is simple, with over 13,000 locations in the U.S. accepting the material. According to John Furman, CEO of Earth911.com, “Glass is one of the top 10 most searched materials in our database, indicating to us a strong level of commitment to keep as much of this material as possible in the recycling and manufacturing streams.”

Find Out More »
Read the Press Release »

Hyatt Regency Atlanta

2009 Friend of Glass - Hospitality Industry

Hyatt Regency Atlanta has been recycling since the 1990s, but they had stopped recycling glass and weren’t recycling any of their food residuals. With the help of the Atlanta Zero Waste Zone challenge, the hotel now has a source for food waste and is recycling glass bottles again. About 60-75 percent by volume of containers is glass from the hotel’s bars, restaurants, and banquet service. Hyatt Regency Atlanta will only work with recyclers that take their glass containers.

Find Out More »
Read the Press Release »

Representative Jay Inslee

2009 Friend of Glass - Legislator

Representative Jay Inslee, 1st Congressional District, Washington State, has helped to introduce legislation that protects the environment and manufacturing industries in the U.S., such as the glass container manufacturing industry. Representative Inslee is committed to sustaining the viability of manufacturing industries that help build the American economy.

Read the Press Release »

City of Fort Collins, Colorado, Natural Resource Department

2009 Friend of Glass - Community

The City of Fort Collins, and its local partners, have secured state rebates to improve the quality and quantity of recycled glass and ensure the glass collected is returned to manufacturers for new glass bottles and jars. According to Susie Gordon, Sr. Environmental Planner in Fort Collins, “We promise people that when they go to the trouble to separate their glass and use the drop-off sites, nearly 100% of it will get recycled.”

Find Out More »
Read the Press Release »

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

2009 Best Friend of Glass

Reducing consumption and reusing and recycling raw materials are basic components of the company’s operations. Sierra Nevada uses glass packaging and kegs for its line of craft and specialty brews. In 2008, Sierra Nevada diverted a total of 638,082 pounds of glass from entering a landfill.

Read the Press Release »

Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.

2009 Best Friend of Glass

“As the lone remaining family-owned, independent major spirits supplier, Heaven Hill Distilleries takes our role as an industry leader to heart, including sustainability and stewardship policies that are designed to minimize our environmental impact,” stated Larry Kass, Heaven Hill’s Director of Corporate Communications.

Read the Press Release »

McIlhenny Company for TABASCO® Brand

2009 Best Friend of Glass - Lifetime Achievement Recognition

McIlhenny Company’s TABASCO® Brand Pepper Sauce has been packaged in glass for over 140 years. McIlhenny Company believes glass packaging extends shelf life of its sauces, conveys an image of quality, and allows for a premium image that has enabled their glass containers to become a global icon in the food and beverage industry.

Read the Press Release »

logo poster with messaging

Download pdf file

logo poster with room

Download pdf file

RGW 2’ x 3’ banner

Download pdf file

RGW 3’ x 8’ banner

Download pdf file

Utah State University Student Wins National Glass Recycling YouTube Video Competition!

Video Creates Awareness for Benefits of Glass Container Recycling; Launched with GPI’s Recycle Glass Week

Tyler Larson, a senior majoring in Broadcast Journalism at Utah State University, is the winner of the Glass Packaging Institute’s second-annual Recycle Glass Week university student YouTube video competition. GPI is launching the winning video, “One Choice [can make a difference]” during Recycle Glass Week, September 21st through 27th, a recycling awareness event.

“Overall, I hope my video will help make people more conscience of the choices they make—simple choices that can make such a large impact on the environment around us,” said Larson. “Glass recycling is a great example of what we all can do. Glass can be continually re-used and recycled without degrading. Sometimes it’s small things we do regularly that have the longest impact.”

Larson (Syracuse, UT) will graduate in 2010 with a major in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Business Management. He is currently the photo editor for the university’s school paper, The Utah Statesman, and hopes to find a job as a photojournalist after graduation, using his experience to have a positive effect on the people, places, and environments he encounters. GPI will present Larson with a total cash prize of $2,000 for his contribution to creating awareness for the benefits of glass container recycling.

“Tyler’s video, ‘One Choice,’ reaffirms the message that ‘every bottle counts,’” said Joseph Cattaneo, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. “Every time you recycle a glass bottle or jar you help to minimize consumption of raw materials, lessen the demand for energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling glass is one way you can make a difference.”

The winning video was shot using a dolly track to slowly move in on each scene for a stronger impact. According to Larson, “I wanted the viewers to feel like they were being sucked into the screen.” Larson continues, “Thank you GPI for giving me and other students the opportunity to participate in this good cause. I hope the video will be of some good use.”

GPI representatives scored submissions on originality and creativity (50%); communicating the ‘glass message’ (30%); and production technique and value (20%).

Are you a full-time university student? Enter our 2009 Recycle Glass YouTube Video Competition for your chance to win up to $2,000!

The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is sponsoring its second annual YouTube video competition as part of Recycle Glass Week. All eligible students enrolled in U.S. universities are invited to participate. Create a 30-second YouTube video about the benefits of glass container recycling and you could win $2,000, $1,000, or $500 (for first, second, or third place, respectively)!

Why?

By creating awareness and encouraging more and more people to recycle all forms of packaging, including glass containers, we can save energy and our planet. When you recycle glass bottles and jars, you help to reduce the amount of recyclable materials entering landfills and create a 'greener' future.

Who?

All full-time students (applies to students who are currently enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students in U.S. universities and have completed 12 credit hours or more of courses) are eligible to submit. Applicants must provide proof of student status with either a letter from department chair and/or advisor, or a copy of college or university course schedule for the current or immediate next quarter, trimester or semester.

What?

1. Create a 30-second video about the benefits of glass container recycling
2. Fill out an online entry form [link to] and post your 30-second video on YouTube.
3. Your video can be a film, animation, graphic design or a combination thereof.
4. Use helpful messages about glass and the benefits of glass container recycling from outside resources or resources provided on our website. You can also download the GPI and/or Recycle Glass Week logos for use in your video here [link to].
5. Videos must comply with copyright regulations.

Videos will be judged on originality and creativity (50%); communicating the 'glass message' (30%); and production technique and value (20%). In the case of a tie, YouTube viewer ratings will be used as the tiebreaker. View videos submitted last year [link to].

When?

Submission deadline has been extended!!! Submit your videos by 12:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, September 11, 2009 for your chance to win!!

Where?

Winners will be announced on the GPI website during Recycle Glass Week, September 21 - 27, 2009.

Questions?

For help or more information please e-mail us at info@gpi.org

*E-mail addresses and phone numbers will not be provided or sold to any third party. Contact information will only be used for the purposes of contacting the winner of the YouTube contest.

*/ ?>

• Use our carbon calculator to find out how much energy you save by recycling glass!
• Get approval to set up a glass container collection area in your community (say, at a grocery store, town center, community center, etc.) during Recycle Glass Week. Let your local newspapers know about your event, and the GPI will help you get all the glass you collect to a nearby processing facility. We’ll also feature your event on the GPI website and in our e-newsletter.
• Encourage your university or office to recycle glass containers. Ask your school recycling club or human resources department to set up glass recycling bins and encourage your colleagues or fellow students start recycling their glass containers.
• Have university student “glass ambassadors” to pass out glass recycling materials or collect glass in designated cities. Do you need recycling materials? We’ll provide them for you. Ask us info@gpi.org
• Let your town officials know that you want your community to recycle more glass. Visit GPI for more information about how to recycle in your area.
• Become a “friend of glass.” Every time you buy a glass container, recycle a glass container, or tell your friends about the benefits of glass container recycling, you’re helping to better the earth!
• Are you a community waste management representative? Ask GPI how you can set up an infrastructure to start recycling more glass in your community. Find out more about successful recycling programs GPI has helped to implement
• Do you have a suggestion for us? Let us know, email info@gpi.org

The Glass Packaging Institute’s (GPI) 2009 Recycle Glass Week (September 21 - 27), introduced as a pilot program in 2008, is an awareness event aimed to educate consumers about the environmental benefits of and to participate in glass container recycling to help save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate the industry’s nationwide goal of using 50 percent recycled content in the manufacture of new glass bottles and jars by 2013.

What is the Friends of Glass Recognition?

Through the “Friends of Glass” recognition, GPI will honor those companies, organizations, and persons making significant and innovative efforts to promote or participate in glass container recycling for bottle-to-bottle use. This year, GPI honors “Friends of Glass” in five categories: a website, a hospitality organization, a legislator, a community, and best friends (BFFs) of glass, or those companies that demonstrate loyalty to and promote the benefits of using and recycling glass.

The 2009 “Friends of Glass” honorees will be selected by an esteemed panel of glass container industry representatives and announced during Recycle Glass Week.

What other activities are planned for Recycle Glass Week 2009?

During Recycle Glass Week, GPI and its member companies will hold nationwide glass recycling-related activities; provide consumers with information and opportunities to hold their own recycling events; virtually announce the winners of its 2009 Clear Choice Awards; and recognize “Friends of Glass.” Activity updates will be posed on the GPI website at www.gpi.org.

More questions? Please contact Kristen LeKander at Kristen@LindbergGrp.com

After the success of Recycle Glass Day in 2008, the Glass Packaging Institute is introducing “Recycle Glass Week,” which kicks off on September 21, 2009. During the same week, FEVE (the European Glass Packaging Federation) will hold “Choose Glass Week” in several European countries, creating an international platform to promote the benefits of and encourage glass container recycling in late September.