New U.S. EPA data shows the glass recycling rate jumped to 28.1% in 2007, up three percentage points from 2006 (25.3%).  An estimated 3.2 million tons were recovered compared to 2.9 million in 2006. This is the first significant increase since about 2000.

For glass beer and soft drink bottles, the rate was 34.5%, up from 30.7% in 2006, and 15% for wine and liquor bottles (same as 2006).  The amount of glass generated remains at 5.3%.

“We suspect this increase reflects higher glass bottle recycling rates in California and other states with container deposit programs,” says Joe Cattaneo, GPI President.

For the six-month period ending June 2008, the California glass bottle recycling rate rose to 79%, up from 71% for the same period in 2007. The glass industry has also worked strategically to encourage glass bottle recycling at bars and restaurants, wineries, and special events in California, North Carolina, Colorado, and other states.

“We appreciate the efforts of communities and businesses across the U.S. to recycle their glass bottles and jars,” says Cattaneo. “Glass is 100% recyclable and our members use all the recovered glass they can get to manufacture new glass containers.”

Download the complete report, "U.S. EPA Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2007."

Recycle Glass Day YouTube Entries Are In … Rate Your Favorite
Winner announced on Recycle Glass Day, December 10th

Entries for GPI’s student YouTube video competition are now in. As part of Recycle Glass Day on December 10th, participating packaging sciences students from Cal Poly, Clemson University, Michigan State University, Rochester Institute of Technology, San Jose State University, and Stout University of Wisconsin, created videos to help build national awareness about the benefits of glass container recycling to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and better the environment.

Watch videos and rate your favorite!
Celebrate Recycle Glass Day on December 10th!

“We hope this awareness event will result in higher levels of glass collected for recycling and create positive attitudes about recycling overall,” says Joe Cattaneo, GPI President. “Recycling is an integral part of the cradle-to-cradle process of glass packaging manufacturing.”

GPI will announce the winning video on December 10th. Winners Creator(s) of the winning video will receive a $5,000.00 cash prize! GPI will also give a $5,000.00 cash prize to the packaging sciences department affiliated with the winning video.

Videos will be judged on Originality and Creativity (50%); Communicating the “Glass Message” (30%); and Production Technique and Value (20%). In the case of a tie, YouTube viewer ratings will be used as the tiebreaker. This year’s judges include:

Visit the Recycle Glass Day web site to:

John Gallo Receives 2008 Phoenix Award

John Gallo has received the glass industry’s most prestigious tribute, the 2008 Phoenix Award, becoming the 38th recipient of the award, which is given in recognition of outstanding individuals who have made noteworthy contributions to the glass industry.

At the award event, attended by leading industry suppliers, Gallo remarked that “Innovation is what started the company…and today, that spirit of innovation remains strong in the people at Gallo Glass.”

Under John Gallo’s leadership, Gallo Glass has created extensive training and apprenticeship programs. Guided by the belief that human resources should be developed from within, Gallo Glass offers college degree programs to employees at every level. “The first thing my dad did was to look for the right people, the right team. He believed in getting the right person in the right place, and giving them challenges.”

“The future of the glass packaging industry is very promising as we all pull together to promote the advantages of glass,” Gallo said at the close of his speech. “Glass is natural. Glass protects, endures, and is reborn…infinitely recycled!” At Gallo Glass, 50% of every bottle is made from recycled glass. More

A Look Inside: Colorado Finds Success with Glass Container Drop-off Program

GPI recently spoke with Susie Gordon, City of Fort Collins, and Bruce Philbrick, City of Loveland, about new research on best management practices for glass container recycling in Northern Colorado. The results led to implementing two glass container drop-off sites, which local communities have heartily embraced.

In just six weeks, the city of Loveland has already collected over 25 tons of glass, 100% of which can go directly to their end-use market with the Rocky Mountain Bottling Company. Susie and Bruce believe their program is a viable model for other communities struggling with post-consumer glass container collection. Listen to the podcast or Read the transcript

PACKAGING TRENDS

Fetzer Vineyards Lightweights Wine Bottles

One of the largest U.S. wineries, Fetzer Vinyards, announced the lightweighting of its 750 ml and 1.5L wine bottles. Working with O-I, the world’s largest glass packaging manufacturer, Fetzer’s lighter bottles will result in a 14% reduction in the company’s carbon foot print. O-I vice president Kevin Stevens says the ability to make lighter glass is not new. “What’s new is the attention it’s getting as a green alternative.”

“Lightweighting our bottle is a double-bottom-line innovation,” said Dr. Ann Thrupp, Manager of Sustainability, Fetzer Wines. “Good for the environment and for efficient operations—that supports our goal of being a sustainable business.”   More

LEGISLATION

Boston City Council Requires Commercial Recycling Option

The Boston City Council passed a measure that would punish commercial waste haulers who do not offer recycling services to their customers. Supporters of the ordinance claimed that the city could see a vastly improved recycling rate if the measure is properly enforced. Those haulers who do not comply with the law may lose their licenses. The ordinance would require commercial haulers to:

Oregon Bottle Bill Task Force Releases Report

The Oregon Bottle Bill Task Force (BBTF) report recommends that the state legislature increase the refund value for beverage containers to 10 cents.  The BBTF also recommends that the legislature create a network of 90 redemption centers.  They propose that scrap sales and unredeemed container deposits fund the centers, along with some industry assistance.

Other recommendations include:

GLASS RECYCLING

Charlotte, NC Convention Center and Hotels Respond to ABC Law

North Carolina’s law requiring ABC permit holders to recycle all beverage containers hasn’t just affected bars and restaurants. In Charlotte, the Convention Center and the Charlotte Area Hotel Association’s member hotels have also gotten on board.

Since January 2008, the Charlotte Convention Center has recycled glass, plastic, and aluminum containers to comply with the law, but also “a desire to be a strong community leader in the green initiative,” says Bill Tripet, Director of Food and Beverage for the Convention Center. They expect to recycle more than 12 tons of containers this year.

The 280,000 square foot exhibit hall houses 48 56-gallon recycling containers. In the meeting and ballrooms, there are 12 portable recycling stations. “In both areas we have incorporated large signage to encourage visitor participation,” says Tripet.

On the hotel front, according to Sid Smith, Executive Director of CAHA, now that recyclables are culled from waste disposal, weight has dropped significantly. In some cases the number of trash compactor pickups has decreased, allowing some hotels to save money or move to smaller compactors. The biggest challenge for hotels, says Smith, is space. Compactors and now sorting bins are usually located on loading docks or truck bays and this space is already limited.

For Tripet, space is less of an issue. Three of the 21 loading docks are dedicated to recycling and waste disposal. Staff regularly empty recycling bins into larger containers at the loading dock. Also available to staff are six portable, 100-gallon tilt trucks located in hallways behind meeting rooms and ballroom.

“I think employees are doing a great job capturing everything,” says Tripet. It’s also become much easier for them now as well. “They’ve been on board since the beginning,” says Tripet. “It’s the law and it’s the right thing to do.”

1000 WORDS

What does “Livin’ Green” mean to Duke University Students?

Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment recently named the winners of its one-minute video contest about what “Green Livin’” means to students. Watch the videos

Copyright © 2008 Glass Packaging Institute 

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