The Glass Packaging Institute named the winners of its 2007 Clear Choice Awards during a Presentation and Reception at the McCormick Place Convention Complex in Chicago on May 7, 2007. This year's Awards recognized 11 consumer product goods (CPG) companies for their achievements in expanding the frontiers of glass packaging design, and honored Ted Turner's Ted's Montana Grill restaurants with GPI's Recognition for Outstanding Sustainable Practices.

"Designing and using glass packaging for your brand provides customers with what they really want—a 'pure,' 'premium' and 'sustainable' product," says GPI President Joseph Cattaneo. "Choosing glass for a food, beverage, or cosmetic product is an environmentally and socially responsible decision that allows for a package design that creates superior shelf impact and brand loyalty." Read more

View all 2007 Clear Choice Award Winners 

Emhart Glass Builds $20 Million Research Center

Emhart Glass, the world's leading technology supplier for the glass container industry, will build a $20 million research center in a commercial area of Windsor, CT to develop glass-making technology for the 21st century.

This investment will assist Emhart in its ongoing research to develop glass strengthening processes that reduce shattering, and improve the speed and economics of glass production. "Green" materials and technologies will also be part of the construction and operation. The center is expected to be completed the end of 2007. Learn more

Oprah Show Features Recycling

Oprah Winfrey's Earth Day show gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at recycling, including 100% recyclable glass bottles. Check out the video:

"See What Happens to your Recyclables Once they Leave the Curb" showcases Seattle's program where glass containers are collected separately.

"Watch How Recycled Goods Come Back to You" includes footage from the Container Recycling Alliance glass plant in Chicago. Plus, how recycled bottles go back into new bottles.

PACKAGING TRENDS

High Demand for Glass Baby Bottles in CA

The San Francisco Chronicle (April 9, 2007) reports that glass baby bottles are making a comeback in light of a February report, "Toxic Baby Bottles," issued by Environment California, an advocacy group. The report claims that heating plastic bottles encourages leaching of bisphenol A, a chemical that mimics estrogen, in levels that have been found to cause harm in laboratory rats.

San Francisco recently approved a ban on children's products containing bisphenol A and certain phthalates, the chemicals that soften polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. Manufacturers and retailers have sued the city over the ban, which has yet to be implemented. Read the article

Spirit Bottle Loses Weight and Gains Green Benefits

The UKs first 70cl spirit bottle weighing in at less than 300g is now on supermarket shelves. The Rockware Glass bottle is designed to reduce manufacturing costs, cut carbon emissions, and minimize the amount of glass used in packaging. It also has all the strength and impact qualities of the heavier bottle, which weighed about 340g. Read the story

SUSTAINABILITY

Ted's Montana Grill Recognized for Sustainable Practices

Ted's Montana Grill was the 2007 recipient of GPI's Recognition for Outstanding Sustainable Practices, a new feature of the Clear Choice Awards. This honor is given to a business that shares GPI member companies' commitment to sustainable practices.

"From the beginning, Ted's Montana Grill owners, Ted Turner and George McKerrow Jr., made a commitment to serve soft drinks as well as adult beverages in recyclable glass bottles," said Randy McAdoo, Ted's Director of Purchasing, who accepted the award. "Ted Turner has a lifelong and unwavering commitment to the environment and sustainability." Read more

GPI Exhibits at All Things Organic™

GPI exhibited at 2007 All Things Organic™, the only event in North America focused exclusively on organic products. Glass showed off the features that make it the right packaging choice for organic products—it's inert, pure, and does not contain synthetic chemicals.

All Things Organic™ shared billing with the Food Marketing Institute's FMI Show, the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade's (NASFT) Fancy Food Show, NASDA's US Food Export Showcase and the United Fresh Marketplace from May 6 - 8.

GLASS RECYCLING

GPI Provides Equipment to Help San Luis Obispo Expand Bar/Restaurant Recycling

The Glass Packaging Institute will provide a glass container collection truck and 150 3-yard containers to the San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority (SLO IWMA) to facilitate expansion of their bar/restaurant recycling program. GPI is providing this equipment through a 2006 CA Department of Conservation grant.

"The truck and outside containers are going to be put to good use at the bars and restaurants we still have to add to the program," says Bill Worrell, Manager, SLO IWMA. "Plus, we can now include wineries and breweries." They expect to collect an additional 100,000 – 200,000 containers a month. Read more

Copyright © 2007 Glass Packaging Institute 

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