September 16, 2010 - We CAN Recycle Inc. Receives Environmental Recognition for Outstanding Glass Container Recycling Achievements
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2010
Contact: Kristen Taylor
Kristen@Lindberggrp.com
(703) 778 - 7644
We CAN Recycle Inc. Receives Environmental Recognition for Outstanding Glass Container Recycling Achievements
GPI provides “Friends of Glass” Recognition as part of 2010 Recycle Glass Week
Alexandria, Virginia, September 16, 2010 - The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is proud to recognize We CAN Recycle Inc. as a model organization for its achievements in making significant and innovative efforts to promote glass container recycling and collect and recycle glass containers for bottle-to-bottle use. We CAN Recycle Inc. is among the six “Friends of Glass” recognized by GPI during its second-annual Recycle Glass Week, September 12 - 18, 2010. We CAN Recycle Inc. will also be sponsoring a glass recycling collection event to coincide with Recycle Glass Week. Find out more about the 2010 Friends of Glass: /learn-about-glass/recycle-glass-week/2010-friends-of-glass-honorees.html
“It's an incredible honor to be recognized by the Glass Packaging Institute on a national level for our glass recycling program,” says Mark Austin, president and founder of We CAN Recycle Inc. “We need to let more people know that glass recycling is getting easier in Houston, and it has a very positive environmental and economic impact in our market area.”
We CAN Recycle Inc. recycles about 80 tons per month of glass bottles from local bars, restaurants, and other businesses. In 2009, We CAN Recycle Inc. collected over 353 tons of glass bottles and jars for recycling and their glass recycling program kept over 88 tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere. In the first half of 2010, the company collected an outstanding 472 tons of glass for bottle-to-bottle recycling. Moving forward, their goal is to collect 6 to 10 tons of glass daily.
“Consumers need to understand the impact they can have when they recycle glass bottles and jars. Glass is endlessly recyclable and there are big energy savings when recovered glass is used to make new bottles,” says Joseph Cattaneo, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. “We thank Mark Austin with We CAN Recycle Inc. for his outstanding glass container recycling achievements, and hope this recognition will call attention to the value of glass container recycling and ultimately help us reach the goal of using 50 percent recycled glass in the manufacture of new containers by the end of 2013.”
Mark Austin, founder of the nonprofit We CAN Recycle Inc., set his sights on glass bottle recycling after prices for other recyclables dropped during the recession that began in 2008. Austin is finding a brisk business for glass recycling with local bars, restaurants, and hotels. We CAN Recycle Inc. picks up glass bottles from local businesses three days a week and takes them to Strategic Materials Inc. From there, they are sold to Longhorn Glass Corp. and manufactured into new bottles for Anheuser-Busch.
This year, GPI recognizes six “Friends of Glass” in four categories: Container Recycling Institute (website); MGM Resorts International (hospitality industry); We CAN Recycle Inc. (organization); and Best Friends of Glass, including Boulevard Brewing Company; Dr Pepper Snapple Group; and LiDestri. Friends of Glass honorees in 2009 included Earth911.com; the Hyatt Regency Atlanta; Rep. Jay Inslee; the City of Fort Collins, Colorado; Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.; Heaven Hill Distilleries; and McIlhenny Company for TABASCO® Brand.
Recycle Glass Week is an awareness event aimed to educate consumers about the environmental benefits of glass bottle recycling and encourage participation in recycling glass 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 the end of 2013. Visit www.gpi.org for more information on Recycle Glass Week activities and events.
We CAN Recycle Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2008. Our mission is: To reduce pollution and greenhouse gasses. To support our local economy through waste diversion. To raise awareness about the importance of recycling glass. To promote recycling as a way to reduce the strain on our landfills. www.wecanrecycle.org.
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. www.gpi.org
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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.
