Glass Packaging Institute sponsors June 12–18, 2010 coast to coast endurance cycling event as precursor to Recycle Glass Week, September 12–18

The Glass Packaging Institute’s Recycle Glass Week will be the primary environmental sponsor for this year’s Race Across America (RAAM), the longest-running ultra-endurance bicycle race in the world. RAAM has become a platform for racers and teams raising money for charitable causes—with cyclists raising over one million dollars annually—and a rare opportunity to combine outstanding wellness, and environmental and social missions in one event.

“Cycling and recycling are both environmentally sound practices that encourage sustainability and health for people and our planet,” says Joseph Cattaneo, GPI President. “GPI is delighted to partner with Race Across America to increase awareness about the environmental benefits of cycling and glass container recycling to help meet the industry’s goal to use 50% recycled content in the manufacture of new glass bottles and jars by 2013.”

“As we involve more people in cycling, we simultaneously increase health and overall wellness, in addition to environmental sustainability,” says Fred Boethling, President of RAAM. “We are very excited to continue expanding our event concept to include more teams, and with the sponsorship of the Glass Packaging Institute’s Recycle Glass Week, encourage recycling and create more awareness for environmental responsibility.”

During RAAM 2010, soloists and groups composed of two, four and eight riders will race relay-style across the 3,000+-mile course from Oceanside, California, to Annapolis, Maryland. This year’s RAAM event is projected to include 275 riders with over 1,000 crewmembers. Get the latest event news when you sign up for the RAAM e-newsletter. More

At Earth Day's 40th Anniversary, Most Americans Believe it will Take Another 40 Years to Achieve "Zero Waste"

Glass Container Industry Continues to Work Toward goal of using 50% Recycled Glass in Manufacture of New Glass Bottles and Jars by 2013

While a majority of Americans (57%) would like the U.S. to achieve “zero-waste”—or a state where all products are reused and any trash sent to landfills is minimal—in 20 years or less, they believe it will take 41 years or more (53%) before “zero-waste” can be achieved, according to a survey of 1,000 Americans conducted by Opinion Research for the Glass Packaging Institute from April 8-11, 2010.

“Creating ‘zero-waste’ in the U.S. is a goal that needs to be shared by all industries, communities, and consumers,” says Joseph Cattaneo, GPI president. “In this regard, the glass container industry continues to forge ahead in creating more awareness about the environmental benefits of glass container recycling to meet our goal to use up to 50 percent recycled content in the manufacture of new glass bottles and jars by 2013.”

GPI encourages consumers to commit to make glass recycling a daily habit on April 22nd, the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. Glass is 100% and endlessly recyclable. “One of the outstanding environmental benefits of glass containers is their recyclability in a closed-loop process,” says Cattaneo. Find out how to recycle glass bottles in your community. Get all survey results

Vitro Awarded Distinction of “Socially Responsible Company 2010”

In a March 17–18 ceremony in Mexico City, the Mexican Center for Philanthropy (CEMEFI) awarded Vitro the distinction of being a Socially Responsible Company 2010. The event was part of the 3rd Latin American Forum of Socially Responsible Companies where top executives and representatives from “Forum Empresa”, “CEMEFI”, “The Mexican Institute for Norms and Certification” and “RedEAmerica” discussed transparency and accountability, among other topics.

“We are proud to receive, for the third consecutive year, this award which confirms that, in spite of a challenging environment, at Vitro we continue working diligently to offer our customers quality products and services with a clear focus on continuous improvement always making sure that we exercise a positive influence in the communities where we have a presence,” assures Hugo Lara, Vitro CEO.

A fundamental part of Vitro’s contribution to sustainable development is its recycling program. “Thanks to this initiative, in 2009, we were able to collect 152,133 tons of glass to recycle representing a significant increase of 16 percent over 2008. This translates into natural gas consumption savings of 164,304 million BTU’s, the reduction of our carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and the freeing up of 304,266 cubic metric tons in solid waste disposal sites,” says Albert Chico, Vitro’s Manager of Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility.

Saint-Gobain Containers Commits to Remain in Louisiana for at Least 10 Years, Retaining 350 Local Jobs

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal joined Saint-Gobain Containers Inc. President and CEO Joseph R. Grewe to announce the company’s commitment to maintain its operations in Simsboro, Louisiana, for at least the next ten years, including the retention of at least 350 jobs with average annual salaries in excess of $51,000 plus benefits.

“On behalf of Saint-Gobain Containers and the employees at our facility in Simsboro, I want to extend my thanks to the State of Louisiana for these job retention incentives,” said Grewe.

Governor Jindal said, “Today’s announcement is great news for Simsboro and North Louisiana as we are retaining one of Louisiana’s most notable manufacturers, and more importantly, we are keeping jobs in Louisiana so that our people can continue to pursue their dreams right here at home.” More

O-I Invests in New Research Effort

Perrysburg, OH Lab to Receive Most of $18M Investment

Owens-Illinois Inc. CEO Al Stroucken has announced $18 million in new research-related investments, primarily at their Perrysburg, OH headquarters. According to Stroucken, this new investment “plays a critical role in helping O-I achieve its strategic objectives on a global scale.”

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland was present for the announcement and toured O-I’s new 4,000-square-foot materials science laboratory. Nearly three dozen scientists and engineers will arrive at the lab in the coming months as part of this new research initiative. O-I plans to spend $11.5 million through Dec. 31 to enhance research capacity in Perrysburg, and add 32 to 35 research jobs in Perrysburg by the end of the year. Another $6 million will be invested in the Zanesville, OH plant where products developed in Perrysburg will be initially manufactured. More

PACKAGING TRENDS

Enter the 2010 Clear Choice Awards

The Glass Packaging Institute celebrates the 21st 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. Clear Choice Awards winners will be announced on the GPI website the week of September 12, during GPI’s Recycle Glass Week.

GPI will award top package designs in the following categories: Beer, Wine, Food, Carbonated Beverage, Non-Carbonated Beverage, Distilled Spirits, Flavored Alcoholic Beverage, Organic Food or Beverage, and Fragrance/Cosmetics/Other. GPI will also choose one glass package to receive the Clear Choice Award for Overall Package Design, and honor eligible entries with GPI’s Conversion Recognition.

Enter the 2010 Clear Choice Awards. There is no fee to enter. All entries must be postmarked by Saturday, July 10, 2010. All 2010 Clear Choice Awards winners receive an award and benefit from industry-wide recognition and brand-building media coverage.

Reusable Glass Bottles Encourage Consumers to “Fall in Love With Their Tap All Over Again”

Be Truly You introduces new glass water bottle that inspires people to do away with plastic water bottles and take advantage of the clean, safe water available from their tap

In honor of Earth Day, Be Truly You has launched a new line of eco-friendly glass water bottles, the Metro Bottle. The new 20 oz. glass bottle, made with 20% recycled glass, offers consumers three ways to make a difference: choose a reusable bottle made from 100% recyclable glass, purchase a product made in the U. S., and provide a child with safe water for 40 days through the UNICEF Tap Project.

"It was a challenge to find a domestic, glass bottle manufacturer and distributor willing to work with a small company like ours," said Ann Caiola, co-founder of Be Truly You, "GPI was a wonderful resource, which led us to Saint-Gobain Containers and All-Pak, a division of Berlin Packaging. These two companies stepped up to the challenge and helped us bring this new glass water bottle to life."

The first bottle in the company’s Metro Bottle line features a design inviting consumers to “fall in love with their tap…all over again” and reduce their bottled water usage. The larger mouth of the bottle accommodates ice cubes and easy cleaning. Be Truly You encourages the use of tap water as an alternative to water from disposable plastic bottles, which can have health and environmental impacts. More

Saint-Gobain Containers Invites Craft Brewers to Meet George Wendt

The craft beer industry poured into Chicago the week of April 5th for the 2010 Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America and World Beer Cup. Saint-Gobain Containers (SGCI), a sponsoring member of the Brewers Association, participated in the conference for the fourth consecutive year.

Along with a booth in the trade show, SGCI hosted a hospitality suite inviting craft brewers to sit back, relax, and enjoy a sampling of craft beer with special guest, George Wendt. Best known for his role as Norm Peterson of the classic television sitcom Cheers, George Wendt now has a book on store shelves, Drinking with George—A Barstool Professional’s Guide to Beer. Guests in the hospitality suite were able to meet and chat with George, take pictures, and get his autograph. The event was very successful with over 200 people in attendance.

The Brewers Association also includes a special brew in the welcome pack for the conference. This year’s beer, Heartwood Symposium Ale, was created with the collaboration of 15 Illinois breweries and packaged in bottles donated by SGCI.

GLASS RECYCLING

North Carolina’s On-Premise Container Recycling Law Proves a Success

According to new data, the North Carolina ABC law, which went into effect January 1, 2008, requiring all on Alcohol Beverage Control permit holders to recycle beverage containers, is proving successful.

Compliance among the 8,500 permit holders is high with most using a service provider, but many self hauling. And local government glass recovery, which does not include private collection services, increased 39% from FY2007 (51,883 tons) to FY 2009 (72,074 tons). During the same period in the private sector, another 36,700 tons of glass were estimated to be recovered for a total of nearly 57,000 tons of new glass.

This data, and more, was presented at the Carolina Recycling Conference in a session organized by the Glass Packaging Institute. Representatives from Strategic Materials and Reflective Recycling addressed glass container collection, processing, and markets, and Jim Hickman, Managing Director, Open Window Consulting, and previously with the NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance which oversaw implementation of the ABC law, provided these new results.

Prior to the ABC law, the state was recycling about 12-17% of the estimated 300,000 tons of beverage and non-beverage glass it generated. Now, according to Hickman, they estimate they are recycling about 30-35% of glass generated in the state. “With this new law we’ve had a big impact on one of the major generating sectors, but there’s still a lot to do,” says Hickman.

“Another key finding was that despite the early grumblings we got from bar/restaurant owners, it ended up not being a very difficult law for them to implement,” says Hickman. More

1000 WORDS

Some People Actually Do Live in (Recycled) Glass Houses

Tito Ingenieri has built his house out of millions of recycled glass bottles. In his town of Quilmes, Argentina, people gladly give him their empty glass bottles and then admire his creation. Watch him show you how to build a one-of-a-kind house that recycles glass and keeps the streets clean. Check it out