This month's newsletter features products and news items that spotlight glass packaging as part of a sustainable product.

In an interview with Pangea Organics Founder and CEO Joshua Onysko, he shares the secrets to keeping his personal-care products company organic and sustainable—which includes glass packaging.

And we link to the blog "if it's hip, it's here," which identifies ten soft-on-the-earth glass packaged vodkas, including McCormick Distillery's 360 Vodka (above) made with locally-grown grains and a 85% recycled glass bottle with swing-cap closure for reuse or return to the distillery. Be sure to check out the rest.

Finally, consumers and research weigh in. A Nielson survey finds that consumer will give up convenience packaging to protect the environment, but not packaging that preserve freshness and keep products clean. And, a Waste & Resources Action Programme study shows that manufacturing light-weighted glass is less carbon intensive than manufacturing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) on a per unit weight basis.

Enjoy these articles, this month's "featured products," and more in April's Inside Glass Packaging.

SUSTAINABILITY

A Look Inside: PANGEA ORGANICS

Pangea Organics—an organic personal-care product company that uses sustainable manufacturing processes to produce, distribute and market its products—is busy setting trends, and the bar, for sustainable business practices. The company was the first in the world to introduce 100% biodegradable, compostable and plantable packaging, and has chosen glass containers for several products because of its purity and recyclability.

GPI recently conducted an interview with Joshua Onysko, Founder and CEO of Pangea Organics, who told us about the company's road to success, packaging in glass, sustainability, and prospects for what looks to be a very promising future.

Why did you choose glass packaging for Pangea products? What was the process for selecting a glass design?

Joshua Onysko: We chose a glass packaging because it is a material that can be recycled over and over again in a closed loop. Also glass is impermeable and nonporous. It safeguards against moisture and oxygen invasion. Additionally, amber and green glass can filter out harmful ultraviolet rays, protecting product integrity in support of our all-natural preservative system.

How important is sustainable packaging to your product marketing?

Joshua Onysko: Sustainable packaging is more than a marketing ploy for us. In fact, it is our number one packaging priority. Getting this info out to consumers is naturally the next step. Our plantable boxes are very popular and make the consumer think about the lifecycle of the things they buy – from start to finish.

How has glass packaging contributed to your brand's image? Has it helped position the brand as "organic"?

Joshua Onysko: Because sustainability is one of the most formidable challenges facing the packaging industry we turn to glass because of its unrivaled sustainable qualities. We do believe glass has contributed to our brand's image because glass feels more high-end than plastic. I don't believe it has helped position the brand as "organic"; I believe the quality and purity of our ingredients has done that.

How have consumers responded to the glass package for Pangea Facial Cleanser, Facial Toners, Facial Creams, Facial Mask, and Massage and Body Oils?

Joshua Onysko: Consumers have been behind us 100% - praising us for using glass packaging for our skincare line and massage and body oils.

Do you think packaging is playing a bigger role in positioning organic products?

Joshua Onysko: Yes. I think people are beginning to catch on that not only does the product need to be good for you and good for the environment, but the packaging does as well.

How is Pangea able to differentiate its organic products from the pack?

Joshua Onysko: Pangea's point of difference is definitely transparency. One important component of packaging is what you put in the product. Achieving transparency through honesty is central to our company values. Everything IN our products will always be listed ON them so people know exactly what they're purchasing and putting on their bodies. Honesty – there's a purity to it – and truth begets trust. We are a brand that makes a trustworthy product.

A portion of the company's profits go to help build the Pangea Institute, an emerging non-profit organization dedicated to researching and teaching all aspects of sustainable living and business practices. What mantras of sustainable living do you live by?

Joshua Onysko: What we choose to consume today, directly impacts how we – and future generations – will live tomorrow. That being said, it is tantamount that everyone start demanding that the companies you do business with understand the importance of sustainable business and start looking at the triple bottom line: People, Planet and Profit.

Where are Pangea Organics currently distributed?

Joshua Onysko: Trade Secret, Pure Beauty, Beauty First, Whole Foods, Cost Plus World Market, Anthropologie, Macy's and Nordstrom.

Walnut Grove Spring Water Reduces Carbon Footprint

After introducing their first product in April 2007, Walnut Grove Spring Water Company has just released a new package which is sourced completely from North American container suppliers. Vitro Packaging supplies Walnut Grove's new 750 mL glass bottle. This change reduces the distance packaging components travel from 15,000 total inbound miles to 3,000—an 80% reduction in the carbon footprint of the package's supply-chain. More

Canada to Release Green Advertising Guidelines

The Competition Bureau and Canadian Standards Association are expected to release national guidelines on the use of recycling, chemical-related and other environmental terms. The guidelines were motivated by consumer complaints about green claims made on various products. Industry comment is currently being sought on draft guidelines, which will prevent companies from making vague claims and require businesses to back up specific environmental claims. More

Glass Bottling Produces Similar Carbon Emissions to PET

A Waste & Resources Action Programme study that finds manufacturing light-weighted glass is less carbon intensive than manufacturing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) on a per unit weight basis. WRAP Director of Retail and Organics Programmes, Richard Swannel, says this report "demonstrates the positive environmental impact of lightweighting and the incorporation of recycled content. It will help inform the wine packaging and retail industries on the environmental impact of their packaging choices." More

PACKAGING TRENDS

Vintage Coca-Cola Glass Bottles Now on Store Shelves

For Coke lovers and collectors, Coca-Cola North America has rolled out a limited-edition vintage Coca-Cola glass bottle called the 1906 "Diamond Label".

This was the product package design before introduction of the curvy Coca-Cola contour bottle in 1916, which is still in use today.

The 8.5-ounce glass bottle features great taste, straight sides with a diamond-shaped paper label, and is available in four-packs.

"This package invites consumers to another journey in time—back to 1906 when the deliciously uplifting product they love was packaged in an equally appealing predecessor of today's global iconic contour glass bottle," said Hendrik Steckhan, president and general manager, Sparkling Beverages, Coca-Cola North America. More

You're Invited to the 2008 Clear Choice Awards

Be the first to see this year's Clear Choice Awards winners during the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Show 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

When:
Monday, May 5, 2008
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. — Complimentary Cocktails
and Hors D'oeuvres
5:30 p.m. — Awards Presentation

Where:
Luxor Hotel and Casino
3900 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Egyptian Ballroom B-C
Las Vegas, NV

Don't miss out! RSVP now

LEGISLATION

Iowa Governor Pushes for Consumer Deposit Expansion

Gov. Chet Culver (D-IA), continues to urge state lawmakers to consider expanding Iowa's consumer deposit law to include water bottles and other non-carbonated beverages.

Earlier this week, Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal indicated in a radio interview that the chance for expansion of this legislative session was small, even with Gov. Culver's support. The Governor has asked Iowans to contact their legislators directly and encourage them to make the issue a priority. Iowa grocery stores, where most of the beverages are returned for a refund, have concerns with the program due to space requirements and the current handling fee. The state legislature is scheduled to wrap up its 2008 session later this month.

Tennessee Considers Consumer Deposit Law, Poll Shows Support

Representatives from the Tennessee General Assembly and Senate have introduced legislation (H.B.1829 and S.1408), which would mandate a returnable 5-cent deposit on the majority of single serve beverage containers. A poll conducted by the Social Science Research Institute found that 80% of Tennesseans would support a 5-cent consumer deposit law, in an effort towards increasing recycling and reducing litter. Only aseptic packaging would be exempt from the deposit.

Tennessee's bills would rely exclusively on independent redemption centers for returns (which may be owned by local governments and nonprofit agencies, as well as businesses and individuals) and would allot a handling fee of 3 cents per container.

GLASS RECYCLING

San Luis Obispo Nearly Doubles Bar/Restaurant Recycling

San Luis Obispo County is a destination spot for over 7 million visitors a year, most of them to the local wineries. To capture glass generated in the County's wineries, breweries, and local bars and restaurants, the San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority has stepped up recycling efforts.

In partnership with Paso Robles Waste Disposal, San Miguel Garbage, and the Waste Connections companies, San Luis Obispo County IWMA has placed 167 commercial recycling collection bins, and is now collecting over 100 tons a month. This amount is expected to grow as they head in to tourist season.

This amount is in addition to the over 100 bars and restaurants that the County started with when it began in 2006. In 2007, The Glass Packaging Institute, through a grant from the CA Dept. of Conservation, provided containers and a collection truck to help expand the program.

National Recycling Partnership Launches Pilot in Hartford, CT

Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez kicked off a one-year pilot called “Go Green Use Blue” that creates single-stream collection for recyclables and offers resident’s incentives to recycle.  

Beginning in May 2008, about 5,000 Hartford households will receive 64-gallon carts from the city for all their recyclables.  Through the RecycleBank program, residents can then earn points for recycling that allow them to obtain coupons valued at up to $400/yr for use at local retailers.  RecycleBank’s recycling incentive system was featured in this week’s Time

Hartford is the first community pilot under the National Recycling Partnership’s Model Cities grant program.  NRP is an alliance of the National Recycling Coalition, the American Beverage Association, Food Marketing Institute, Grocery Manufacturers, and International Bottled Water Association.  More

1000 WORDS

Recycle Glass! The Energy-Saving Possibilities are Endless …

RecycleNow.com released an animated ad highlighting the energy savings gained by recycling glass bottles and jars. "In fact, recycling just one glass bottle saves enough energy to power a washing machine for ten minutes, or run a light bulb for almost an hour." Watch

Copyright © 2007 Glass Packaging Institute 

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