September is Recycle Glass Month 2011, so it’s not too soon to start planning a glass recycling event or activity to celebrate. Recycle Glass Month is the glass packaging industry’s initiative to encourage more glass recycling to help meet its goal of using 50% recycled content in the manufacture of new jars and bottles by the end of 2013.

To share your stories and photos of Recycle Glass Month activities and glass recycling successes, the Glass Packaging Institute has launched the effort’s own Facebook page. Post early and often. Or, just “like” us and share with your friends. The Facebook page also serves as a clearinghouse for resources and information to make the most of the month.

To show your support for glass recycling, GPI is offering promotional items, including T-Shirts, stickers, and buttons. Order them now at Café Press. The online shop features promotional items for both Recycle Glass Month 2011 and GPI’s “Ask For Glass” campaign.

During Recycle Glass Month GPI will announce the 2011 Clear Choice Awards winners, who will be featured at PACK EXPO 2011 in Las Vegas September 26-28. GPI will also recognize its Friends of Glass, those organizations or persons that recycle glass or promote the glass recycling as a way to better the environment. Look for more Recycle Glass Months details in op-eds, radio media tours, and press releases.

More than 2000 “Ask for Glass” Since Campaign Launch

In less than two months nearly 2100 consumers have made their voices heard through the “Ask For Glass” campaign, making it one of fastest-growing social media efforts by the Glass Packaging Institute.

“The enthusiastic response to this campaign underscores the fact that there is pent up consumer demand for glass,” says Lynn Bragg, GPI President. “Our goal is to encourage consumers to turn this enthusiasm into action by asking the producers of their favorite brands to offer an option in glass. For instance, if a major brand offers an organic or natural version of their product in a can, jar or bottle, it only makes sense to offer that product in glass.”

To date, 65% of campaign followers are women between the ages of 18 and 44. They are predominantly from major metropolitan areas, including New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Phoenix. About 1 in 7 have found the “Ask For Glass” Facebook page after visiting a brand page that was endorsed by “Ask For Glass” for using glass packaging for their products. Find out more

EU Glass Container Production Shows 3.5% Increase in 2010

Production data 2010 published by the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) show a general recovery from the drop the previous year. In 2010, the European industry produced 20.7 million tons of glass compared to 20.1 million tons in 2009 marking an increase of 3.5%. The biggest increase in production was recorded in Turkey (27%) and United Kingdom (9.5%). 

“The industry was able to react firmly to the impact of the previous year’s financial crisis.” says FEVE President Niall Wall,” and to maintain its place as a key player in the packaging market notwithstanding the harsh competition.” The glass container industry continues to make efforts to improve the efficiency of manufacturing process, to reduce environmental impacts and to reduce costs to ensure that brands are provided with a premium packaging solution at competitive prices when compared to other materials. More

PACKAGING TRENDS

Milk in Glass Bottles Makes a Comeback for Family Dairies

Dairies and creameries are discovering that Americans still long for the simplicity of a cold bottle of milk and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. These family-owned enterprises have tapped in to the trend that has fueled the growth of locally-sourced foods and organic produce and the emergence of natural food juggernauts like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.

“The glass bottle represents what’s different about us,” says Rich Martin, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Straus Family Creamery on Tomales Bay near San Francisco. “The glass bottle reinforces our company positioning that we do a lot of things the old fashioned way…back when products were pure and simple.”

Martin says the family-owned business has used glass bottles since it was founded in 1941, but placed a greater emphasis on the packaging in the 1990s when they became the first dairy to produce certified organic milk west of the Mississippi.

“The taste of the milk is superior and unspoiled when in glass. The glass also conducts cold better and keeps fresher,” adds Tom Rubino, who founded Hudson Milk Company, a Shrub Oak, New York-based milk delivery service, in 1994. “And, yes, there’s a certain niche for nostalgia as well.” More

Switch to Vitro Glass Bottle Sweetens Package Redesign

Honeydrop natural, honey-sweetened beverages, which launched in 2008, have converted to glass packaging for a facelift that aims to “break through the clutter, and connect with the natural beverage consumer,” according to Rochelle Martyn, founding partner of Monday Collective, which spearheaded the glass package redesign.

To position the brand as a premium product, Honeydrop Beverages switched from a PET bottle to a 14-oz custom glass bottle from Vitro Packaging that sports embossed bee designs at the top. Martyn notes that the bottle shape takes its cue from a milk bottle design, “which helps communicate Honeydrop’s natural positioning.” More

LEGISLATION

Senator Lugar Introduces Energy Legislation

Recent GPI "Friend of Glass" award recipient, Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) has introduced broad-based energy legislation which includes an industrial “energy efficiency” revolving loan program. The proposed program would provide matching federal funds for eligible projects that improve or accelerate technologies or processes that substantially reduce energy intensity at manufacturing facilities, which would include glass manufacturing plants. Among the qualifying processes described in the bill is the improved "recycling of materials" in the manufacturing process. The legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for consideration.

Nevada Passes Measure to Study Container Deposit Law 

Nevada legislators and the Governor have approved a measure (Assembly Bill 427) to investigate deposits for various beverage containers and other commonly purchased items. In support of the study, the bill's author, Assemblyman James Ohrenschall, pointed out that Nevada's recycling rate has been below 25%, and that container deposit programs in other states often have double or triple that rate.

The study will consider which recyclable products to include in a possible deposit program. While the focus is on beverage containers, paper and plastic grocery bags will also be considered for feasibility and inclusion. The study requires an analysis of the process for the payment and refund of the deposit, including the creation of redemption centers, as well as other methods to encourage recycling. Findings are to be delivered during the 2012 legislative session. More

Rhode Island EPR Legislation Fails to Advance 

Rhode Island House Bill 5888, which would have created a framework for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), has failed to move past Committee in this year's legislative session. While the bill covered only medical sharps, mattresses, and architectural paint, a framework for EPR, including discussion of recycling and handling of materials, was proposed and would have provided an option for the inclusion of beverage containers into the program at a future date.

GLASS RECYCLING

Cincinnati Bars and Restaurants Call for Glass Recycling Program

Since the fall of 2010, Hamilton County, which includes Cincinnati, Ohio, has offered assistance to bars and restaurants that want to recycle glass bottles and jars. The program is an offshoot of the County’s 2006 “Recycling At Work” program, which helps office buildings set up paper recycling programs.

“We started getting more and more calls from bars and restaurants,” says Holly Christmann, Solid Waste Program Manager. “They wanted to recycle their glass and asked for our help. It was a natural progression to move to this sector to address cardboard and glass recycling.” 

Today, 34 bars and restaurants are participating, with a goal to reach 50 by end of summer. The County received an $8,000 grant from Ohio Department of Natural Resources. These funds were used to purchase 23 gallon interior recycling containers, which are provided free to bars and restaurants, as well as customer education resources. More

Earth911 Shares Tips on Making the Most of Recycle Glass Month

Our friends at Earth911.com are helping recyclers get ready for September’s Recycle Glass Month. They offer tips on what kinds of glass containers are recyclable—wine bottles and peanut butter jars, spice jars, and even glass containers for cosmetics and perfume. Plus, contaminants to keep out of the glass recycling bin (ceramics, we’re talking about you), and why glass recycling has value for the environment and the economy. Read more

1000 WORDS

Cows—and Their Milkers—Love Glass Bottles

Iwig Family Dairy, Tecumseh, Kansas, tells their customers why glass is better for their cow’s milk. And then they reuse the glass bottles. Since 1910, the Iwig family has been raising healthy cows and producing delicious, high quality milk for Kansas families. In 2004, the Iwig family opened its dairy production, bottling and retail service, providing bottled milk to grocery stores throughout Kansas. Watch the video