A report by the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) released July 10 finds that 16% of retail packages failed a screening test for toxic heavy metals, including lead and cadmium, known environmental and health hazards. Packages imported from China and other Asian countries were most likely to contain the regulated metals, in violation of state laws.

The TPCH report notes that flexible plastic bags made of polyvinylchloride (PVC) were among the packaging types most likely to contain lead and cadmium. Most samples were from products imported from Asia. Inks and colorants used on plastic shopping and mailing bags were the other packaging materials with frequently detected heavy metals, primarily lead, but also mercury and chromium.

TPCH screened 355 packaging samples using a portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer for cadmium, lead, mercury, and hexavalent chromium. Packaging samples came from all material types--aluminum, glass, paper, plastic, and steel. Companies selling or distributing packages that failed the screening test were notified and requested to certify compliance with state toxics in packaging laws, or to discontinue the sale and distribution of non-compliant packages.

The report, An Assessment of Heavy Metals in Packaging, was funded under a grant from the U.S. EPA. Download the full report

GPI Hosts Japanese Delegation

Fifteen members of the Japan Glass Bottle Association traveled to upstate New York in May to tour FCR Casella's state-of-the-art recycling facility, which includes optical sorting and ceramic detection equipment for color separation of cullet. From there, the delegation was guided through O-I's Auburn glass manufacturing plant. GPI, which has maintained a close industry exchange relationship with the JGBA since 2003, organized the tours.

PACKAGING TRENDS

Rockware Glass Helps Britvic Move from Reusable to Recyclable

Britvic, the largest supplier of branded still soft drinks and second largest supplier of branded carbonates in the UK, is switching from reusable to recyclable glass bottles for brands such as J2O and Pepsi.

By the end of 2008, the company will eliminate washing and refilling its bottles, and move to single-use, recyclable bottles, manufactured by Rockware Glass. The bottles are also significantly lighter. Read more

Glass Packaging Shows Off Its "Class"

A June article in Canadian Packaging, "Glass is Class," highlights GPI's 2007 Clear Choice Award winners, and underscores the environmental attributes of glass packaging. According to the article, "with sustainability having recently emerged as arguably the biggest challenge facing the global packaging industry today, don't be surprised if this versatile material [glass] begins to claw back some of its global market share in coming years." Read the article

SUSTAINABILITY

All goods in UK may get "carbon footprint"

According to The Independent (London), The Carbon Trust, a government body tasked with creating a low-carbon economy, has established a "carbon footprint" project that will start the ball rolling on a consistent way to measure the greenhouse effect of individual goods and services. Eventually, this information would allow consumers to weigh the environmental impact of various products and packaging. Several companies are already on board. Read the article

GLASS RECYCLING

SERA Reports on Community Glass Recycling and Markets

Data collected from over 500 U.S. recycling programs over the past two years by Skumatz Economic Research Associates (Superior, CO) shows that 75% of curbside programs take all colors of glass, according to a June Resource Recycling article. This is about the same for drop-off programs. Only 1% of these communities have stopped taking glass bottles for recycling.

The article also identifies cost-effective secondary markets for recycled glass. A simple table, created by SERA, includes descriptions and results for recycled glass used as aggregate-substitute and other road uses, filtration, sand and abrasives, landscaping, tiles and other applications. Download the table

CAFR Hosts Tours of Glass Bottle and Bottling Plant

The Colorado Association for Recycling in conjunction with the National Recycling Coalition Congress will host tours of Rocky Mountain Bottle Co., Ball Corporation, and Coors Brewery on Wednesday September 19, 2007.

RMBC manufactures more than 3 million bottles a day. Tour will include the glass melting and forming process, and bulk packaging in preparation for shipping to Coors Brewing Company. At Coors, visitors will be guided through the brewing process, product packaging, and of course, product sampling. Join the tour

The Congress kicks off with a reception at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, located in a refurbished military airplane hanger. Get more details

1000 WORDS

See how recycling just one glass bottle can power your world. Watch the video

Copyright © 2007 Glass Packaging Institute 

If you, or someone you know would like to subscribe to "Inside Glass Packaging," or if you'd like to unsubscribe, please let us know at info@gpi.org. If you'd like to unsubscribe, you can also click here.