Awards Go “Virtual” and Become Part of Recycle Glass Week

GPI kicks off its 20th year of the Clear Choice Awards, which recognizes the contribution glass packaging makes to the image, marketability, sustainability and success of food, beverage and cosmetic products. This year, GPI is shaking things up by holding a “virtual” Clear Choice Awards event. The 2009 Clear Choice Awards winners will be announced on the GPI website the week of September 21st, during Recycle Glass Week.

“Glass containers continue to lead the pack in providing the aesthetics consumers want in a ‘green’ package,” says Joseph Cattaneo, GPI president. “Designing and packaging in glass ensures that your product has the competitive edge, as more and more consumers are demanding glass for its pure, recyclable, and premium characteristics.” Get information on how to enter

GPI Announces University Student Recycle Glass YouTube Competition; Chance to Win $2,000

Competition Kicks-off GPI’s Recycle Glass Week on September 21st

GPI is sponsoring its second annual YouTube video competition as part of Recycle Glass Week, September 21–27, 2009. Students are asked to create a 30-second YouTube video about the benefits of glass container recycling for a chance to win $2,000, $1,000, or $500 (for first, second, or third place, respectively).

“This event helps create awareness and encourages more people to recycle all forms of packaging, including glass containers,” says Joseph Cattaneo, GPI president. “Recycling glass bottles and jars reduces the amount of material entering landfills, saves energy, and helps to create a ‘greener’ future. Get eligibility and entry details

Glass Wows Design Students at Parsons

In April, GPI was invited to present to about 50 students in two sustainable materials courses at New York’s Parsons the New School for Design.

“They are hungry to understand the material production process,” says Erika Doering, Instructor for Materials I, Introduction to Sustainability. “In this first foundation year, they get enough on the aesthetic, but not how a glass bottle is made. Students said it was one of the best lectures they attended.”

According to Doering, many students will be product designers, and if they have a good education in all materials types they can make the best choice for the design problem in front of them. “The more students know about the positive properties of glass, they will place it better,” says Doering. “Glass is a huge material for us. We use it widely, but not always wisely.”

GPI welcomed the opportunity to dialogue with designers-in-the-making. “This is an area we’ve thought about delving into for a long time,” says Rick Bayer, GPI’s academic sub-committee chairman. More

PACKAGING TRENDS

Glass Industry Participates in Wal-Mart Sustainable Packaging Expo

EJ Gallo, O-I, Saint-Gobain Containers, Inc.,Vitro Packaging, and GPI president Joseph Cattaneo participated and exhibited at Wal-Mart’s fourth annual Sustainable Packaging Expo held last month in Rogers, Arkansas. The Expo focused on finding sustainable packaging solutions to help Wal-Mart reduce the amount of packaging in its supply chain by five percent by 2013.

“It is very important for the glass container industry to be present at these types of events to inform and educate buyers, suppliers, and the public in general about glass and its benefits as a pure, recyclable, and sustainable packaging material,” said Horacio Trujillo, Marketing Manager for Vitro Packaging.

GPI members Saint-Gobain Containers, Inc. and Vitro Packaging exhibited their glass manufactured products for Wal-Mart’s private label brand, Great Value, and O-I and Vitro Packaging also showcased two glass packaging success stories—the light-weighting of Fetzer (above) and Bogle glass wine bottles. Get light-weighting details

LEGISLATION

Rep. Markey Introduces National Container Deposit Legislation

Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA), Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chair, has introduced national container deposit legislation that would cover the majority of beverage containers. The co-sponsor is Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA).

In announcing the legislation, Rep. Markey noted that a national bottle bill would have profound energy savings for container manufacturing industries, including glass. The findings section of the legislation, H.R. 2046, also notes that domestic container manufacturing facilities would yield greater access to high grade material, should the bill pass.

All alcoholic and non-alcoholic carbonated and non-carbonated beverages would be included. States that already have container deposit programs in place would be exempted from this law, as would other states that are able to certify high container recycling rates. H.R. 2046 would also prohibit the intentional disposal of beverage containers covered in this program.

New York State Senator Introduces Legislation to Delay Container Deposit Expansion

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Karl Kruger (D-Brooklyn) introduced legislation to delay the start of New York’s container deposit expansion until January 1, 2010. The legislation also calls for removal of a provision to require containers to be labeled with a New York specific bar code, and seeks to repeal the provision that would send 80% of the unclaimed container deposits to the state.

Governor Patterson has indicated his office would like to revisit the program start date, but has not issued comment on other parts of the legislation. Barring any change in legislation, the newly expanded program and regulations will begin June 1, 2009.

GLASS RECYCLING

NRC Pursues Partnership with Keep America Beautiful, Inc.

The Board of Directors of the National Recycling Coalition, Inc. announced its intent to pursue a formal relationship with Keep America Beautiful, Inc.

According to an NRC statement, “Today’s extraordinary times required extraordinary imagination and measures if NRC were to have a vibrant future. We believe that the partnering of NRC and KAB is the best path to realizing that future.”

The next step is a KAB/NRC proposal, which will be shared with NRC members and state affiliates for their review and feedback. NRC members and affiliate leadership will also be provided an opportunity to speak with representatives of KAB. Get details

Glass Bottles from Local Bars Find Second Career as Dazzling Awards

When Dan Weisenbach, President of Weisenbach Recycled Products, learned that many Columbus area bars and restaurants did not have a plan in place for recycling their waste glass, his gears began to spin.

Weisenbach's company makes a unique line of glass awards that are increasingly popular with his customers. “We do awards for green organizations, but also for customers who appreciate a gorgeous award. And everyone loves that it's made from recycled bottles,” says Weisenbach.

“For those who receive the award, it is truly special. Not just another plastic trophy or plaque, it's a beautiful piece of art that they are proud to display. And it's glass, and that means something.” says Weisenbach.

At a holiday event organized by the local “Green Drinks” affiliate, an international environmental networking group, Dan linked up with the owner of some of Columbus, Ohio's most popular bar/restaurants. Hearing the amount of waste glass that they generated, Dan saw what could be a great source of raw material for his recycled glass products. More

1000 WORDS

Glass Bottles Prove Timeless

Times may change, but the message remains the same, “Beer and bottles just seem to go together.” Check out this advertisement circa 1956 created by the Glass Container Manufacturing Institute which became known as the Glass Packaging Institute in 1976.

Copyright © 2009 Glass Packaging Institute 

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