In May, the Glass Packaging Institute kicks off “Ask for Glass,” a social media campaign. In recent years, consumer demand for products packaged in glass has grown. Some popular brands, however, don’t provide a glass package option. In response, GPI developed the “Ask for Glass” campaign to help consumers use social media to let their voice be heard.

“If there is one thing we know about American consumers, it’s that they want a choice,” said Lynn Bragg, President of the Glass Packaging Institute. “There are many popular brands offered in packages of all shapes and sizes, but some do not offer an option in glass. We believe consumers want the choice to buy their favorite brands in glass jars and bottles, and it’s the intent of this program to let consumers’ voices be heard using social media.”

As part of the campaign, consumers can use Facebook and Twitter to connect with their favorite brands’ social media pages and request that products be offered in glass. Interested brands can take a simple pledge affirming that they will offer consumers the choice of buying their product in glass. The campaign also features a YouTube video that can be shared with friends and family.

Glass Part of Trend Toward Healthy and Sustainable Lifestyle

Consumers prefer glass as a packaging material for food and drinks, according to a pan-European survey by independent research consultancy InSites. Reflecting the growing desire among consumers to live a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, glass is preferred by 65% of consumers because it preserves the taste of its contents. And 63% consider glass to be healthy and safe.

Almost half say it’s the most environmentally friendly form of packaging, since glass is endlessly recyclable. Commissioned by FEVE (the European Container Glass Federation), the InSites study asked over 8,000 consumers in 17 countries across Europe about their perception of different packaging materials. Get survey results

Deadline Nears for 2011 Clear Choice Awards

The Glass Packaging Institute invites all interested groups to enter the 2011 Clear Choice Awards, which recognizes the contribution glass packaging makes to the image, marketability, sustainability and success of food, beverage, and cosmetic products.

"Glass is a versatile, 'green' and exciting packaging material," said Lynn Bragg, GPI President. "The Clear Choice Awards allows us to recognize the innovation that is taking place within the industry and highlight the incomparable style and beauty of glass packaging."

Clear Choice Awards winners will be announced on the GPI website the week of September 11, 2011. And GPI will again hold a virtual Clear Choice Awards event. All entries must be postmarked by Saturday, July 9, 2011. Get entry details

Eco-Game Launches on Facebook, Glass Recycling PSA Featured

In collaboration with Conservation International, Ecotopia has launched on Facebook. A free-to-play game, Ecotopia wraps compelling game play with real-world involvement where players create their own eco-friendly world. “This game represents a refreshing new way to engage millions of people in addressing critical environmental issues and finding solutions that work for the wellbeing of humanity,” said Harrison Ford, Vice Chairman of Conservation International.

Within the game is Ecotopia TV (visual above) where players can view videos, including GPI’s Glass Recycling PSA, and others uploaded by players for eco-friendly contests. And, in a first for social gaming, players are encouraged and empowered to do environmental good in the real world—and get rewarded in the world of Ecotopia. Play the game! And start recycling your glass bottles.

PACKAGING TRENDS

O-I Helps Carlsberg Update its Global Identity

In April, Danish brewer Carlsberg kicked off a revitalization of its global brand with a new “Club Bottle” produced by Owens-Illinois. As part of the new global re-branding, Carlsberg is changing its packaging across 140 markets. The new visual identity has been implemented using four design principles—bold, authentic, modern, and approachable—keeping in mind the new positioning.

In the new packaging, the Carlsberg logo has been changed from horizontal to vertical, to create a bigger shelf impact, and the Danish Royal Crown has been made simpler. It is the first major change to the logo since 1904. More

Coca-Cola Brings Back Iconic Glass Bottle for 125th Anniversary

In recognition of the 125th Anniversary of Coca-Cola, the world’s largest soft-drink maker is bringing back, for a limited time, a special 8-ounce commemorative green glass contour bottles that helped establish Coca-Cola as a global brand.

While the company was founded in the 19th century, the symbolic bottle was actually a 20th century invention. In 1915, Coca-Cola launched a competition among its bottle suppliers to create new bottle that would help distinguish Coke from other bottled beverages. One of the criteria was to design a bottle that “a person could recognize even if they felt it in the dark.” The winning design came from Terra Haute, IN based Root Glass Company and its designer Earl R. Dean, who received a lifetime job at Root as a result. Root was acquired by Owens-Illinois in the mid-1930s. More

“Frost” Comes to Mexico with Help of Vitro

Spirits and wine producer Brown-Forman has tapped Vitro to help launch two new pre-mixed cocktails under the brand name Finalandia Frost. Distribution in Mexico began in April for a drink that mixes “the world’s purest vodka” and 100% natural fruit essences. And they arrive in elegant glass bottles, an exclusive design, manufactured by Vitro.

“Brown-Forman has been our customer for many years and during this period we have gained their absolute confidence, so for this new product launch we once again were given the opportunity to manufacture the 275 mL bottle for Lemon Finlandia Frost and Cranberry Finlandia Frost,” said Edgar Romero, Vitro’s Western Region Marketing Manager. “It is the customer’s exclusive crystal clear design and is based on the profile of the Finlandia Vodka bottle.” More

Verallia, Old Orchard Partner to Create Award-Winning Package

Verallia North America joined with Old Orchard Brands, a leading producer of frozen and shelf stable juices, to develop a 2011 AmeriStar Award winning glass bottle for the company’s launch of Very Cherre, a line of super premium single-serve tart cherry juices.

Old Orchard Brands’ innovative and sustainable Very Cherre glass container was the winner in the beverage category of the Institute of Packaging Professionals annual AmeriStar Package Awards competition.

The collaboration with Verallia allowed Old Orchard Brands to create a proprietary glass package unique to the beverage industry. The round shaped glass bottle also reaches new technical advances that include a “bump grip” and thumb rest making the product a shelf stand out. More

LEGISLATION

Oregon House Passes Bill to Expand Container Deposit Law

The Oregon House has passed by a 47-12 vote to expand the state's beverage container deposit system. HB 3145 would add non-carbonated beverages, including teas, juices and sports drinks packaged in glass containers, as well as metal and plastic, to the deposit system. Supporters in the House note that while the law is effective in recovering beverage containers, the current system, implemented decades ago, does not account for the many different types of single-serve beverages now sold.

The proposed system would also tie the amount currently paid for the deposit (5 cents) into the recycling rate for covered containers. The deposit would increase to 10 cents per container if the redemption rate falls below 80% for two consecutive years. This provision would become effective in 2018, or one year after the rate falls below 60%. The redemption rate was 75% in 2009. The bill also moves from an in-store collection system to one that relies more heavily on off-site redemption centers.  More

Brewers Excise Relief Bill Introduced in House

Iowa Representative Tom Latham has introduced legislation (HR 1675) that would reduce the amount brewers pay annually in excise taxes. For smaller brewers the rate would be reduced from $7.00 per barrel to $3.50 per barrel. For larger brewers, the rate they pay in excise taxes would be lowered to pre-1990 levels from $18.00 to $9.00 per barrel annually. Decreasing excise rates is estimated to provide brewers with millions in additional capital to support significant long-term investments and create jobs to grow their businesses on a regional and national scale. The legislation has 47 co-sponsors and moves on to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

GLASS RECYCLING

It’s Blue Skies Ahead for St. Louis Cardinals and Glass Bottle Recycling

“There are two primary items that restaurants and food services have that don’t typically get recycled—glass bottles and food waste,” says Harry Cohen, owner of Blue Skies Recycling in St. Louis, MO. So Cohen has signed up the St. Louis Cardinals and over 30 local restaurants to help keep these valuable commodities from going to the landfill.

In addition to the partnership with Busch Stadium operations and the local restaurants, Blue Skies also has a contract for organics and glass recycling at Edward Jones Dome convention center. At this point about 10 of the full-service bars and restaurants are recycling glass bottles. “We’re just in the process of ramping up the glass recycling. Food was where we started, but when you combine these that’s about 70% of the waste at these operations,” says Cohen. More

1000 WORDS

Recycled Glass Becomes “Green” Human Skull

Artist Matthew Alexander has constructed a complex piece of art that is “green” in color and in the making of it. Alexander’s life-size plaster human skull is created out of recycled wine bottles. He ran the pieces of glass through a rock tumbler to smooth out the rough edges, while also giving recycled glass pieces a 'sea glass' luminescence. See more