Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) have introduced S. 1776, the Low Carbon Economy Act of 2007 to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 2006 levels by 2020 and 1990 levels by 2030.

The bill creates a cap and trade program that would allow companies to buy, sell, and trade credits to achieve the goals. In an attempt to limit price fluctuations and economic uncertainty in the manufacturing sector, the government would allow companies to make payments at a fixed price in lieu of submitting allowances.

This bill would also authorize up to $25 billion a year to support technology development and adaptation for industry. The legislation has been referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works, where it will likely be considered this Fall along with other GHG legislation.

PACKAGING TRENDS

GPI Honors 15 Glass Manufacturing Plants

GPI presented 15 congratulatory plaques to glass plants located across North America that manufactured ware for this year's Clear Choice Awards winners, including O-I, Saint-Gobain, and Vitro Glass.

"Glass continues to be the preferred packaging material for premium new products," said GPI President Joseph Cattaneo. "We congratulate the employees of the local glass facilities for their contributions in bringing these award-winning products to the marketplace. Their hard work reflects the glass container manufacturing industry's commitment to product innovation, sustainability, and quality manufacturing."

Awards were presented in 12 categories: beer, wine, food, carbonated beverage, non-carbonated beverage, distilled spirits, flavored alcoholic beverage (FAB), organic food, organic beverage, cosmetic/fragrance, overall packaging design (the best of show) and recognition for outstanding sustainable practices.

Beverages Lead Glass Packaging Market

Beverages packaged in glass accounted for 75% of the global glass packaging market in 2006 and are the fastest-growing segment for glass packaging, according to a report from Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Europe accounts for about 42% of this demand.

The report notes that glass has a "premium and superior quality packaging material image" for beverages such as champagne, beer, and similar drinks and can be "fully recycled and reused. "Plastic, however, is expected to out pace not only glass but other kinds of packaging as well. Read the news release

SUSTAINABILITY

Coke's Most Recognized Glass Bottle Goes Green

The Coca-Cola Company has reduced the weight and improved the impact resistance of it most recognized package—the glass contour bottle. Not only is this package made from recycled glass, but in 2006 this initiative saved 89,000 metric tons of glass. This is the carbon dioxide equivalent of planting 13,000 acres of trees.

Read more about this and other initiatives aimed at improving Coke's packaging efficiency, lifecycle effectiveness and eco-innovation in their 2006 Environmental Performance report.

Americans Consider Business Environmental Practices When Deciding What to Buy, Survey Finds

More than two-thirds of Americans say a company's business practices impact buying decisions, according to a 2007 Cone Cause Evolution Survey. Advertising (45%) and the Internet (41%) are the primary ways Americans prefer companies to communicate about their environmental issues and practices. "Research indicates an evolution in consumer thinking about the ways businesses interact with society," according to the survey, including company operating practices and their social commitments. Get complete survey results

LEGISLATION

Pennsylvania Introduces Bottle Bill Legislation

Bottle bill deposit legislation (Senate Bill 1035) introduced by State Senator John Rafferty (R) would place a minimum five-cent deposit on carbonated, non-carbonated beer and other malt beverages. Wine and dairy are not included in the list of affected beverages. While glass, aluminum, and plastic would all be subject to the pending deposit, juice boxes, paperboard, and all other aseptic packaging would be exempt. The majority of unclaimed deposits would be designated for the state's hazardous waste clean up program.

RISE Act Continues to Move Forward

The Recycling Investment Saves Energy (RISE) Act, which would allow companies to take advantage of accelerated depreciation for the purchase of equipment used to recycle a variety of commodities, is still alive.

The Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) just released a partial cost estimate of the bill, which is necessary in order for Congress to consider the legislation. Without taking into account the tax exempt bond financing aspect of the bill, the RISE Act cost was estimated to be $162 million over 10 years.

The legislation, introduced by Senator Olympia Snowe (ME) would also clarify the term "solid waste facilities" under Section 142 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that recycling facilities are eligible for tax-exempt bond financing.

Senate co-sponsors of the bill include Evan Bayh (D-IN), Tom Carper (D-DE), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), John Kerry (D-MA), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Barack Obama (D-IL). A House co-sponsor will likely emerge after the August recess, as well as the involvement of the Congressional Recycling Caucus.

The RISE Act was most recently offered as an amendment to the House Energy Bill by Rep. Melissa Bean (D-IL), but was not included. GPI continues to work with recycling allies and Congressional staff in hope that the legislation is offered as an amendment on the Senate floor when Congress is back in session later this fall and discussing energy legislation.

GLASS RECYCLING

Survey Reports on Who's Recycling—and Who's Not

A Harris Interactive poll found that 77% of Americans recycle in their home, but 23% don't recycle at all. Most likely to recycle are adults over 62 years of age. Those in the East (88%) and West (86%) are also most likely to recycle. One-third (32%) in the South as well as three in ten (30%) in the Midwest, however, say they recycle nothing. The poll of 2,372 adults was conducted between June 5-11, 2007. Get more survey results

1000 WORDS

See how glass can be endlessly recycled without losing its quality or purity. Watch the transformation

Copyright © 2007 Glass Packaging Institute 

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