The Glass Packaging Institute presents the winners of its 2011 Clear Choice Awards. This year, 10 consumer product goods companies were recognized for their achievements in creating innovative glass packages with shelf impact. Entries were judged on innovation, package design (including container, label, and closure), and consumer appeal by judges from the world of design and printing, packaging trade press, and packaging schools.

“These winning package designs demonstrate that glass continues to be the ‘clear choice’ for consumers who want a package that complements today’s healthy and environmentally-conscious lifestyles,” says Lynn Bragg, President of the GPI, who notes that glass is one of the “greenest” packaging choices, being 100 percent and endlessly recyclable. “Additionally, nothing communicates purity, quality and value to consumers like a well-designed glass package.”

All 2011 Clear Choice Awards winners receive benefit from industry-wide recognition and brand building media coverage. And winning products will be displayed at PACK EXPO 2011 in Las Vegas, September 26-28, 2011. And new this year, it’s your turn to vote for your favorite. This year’s Clear Choice Awards’ People’s Choice will be announced during PACK EXPO 2011. Cast your vote on Facebook through September 28th.

Awards were given in the following categories: beer, wine, food, carbonated beverage, non-carbonated beverage, organic food or beverage, distilled spirits, flavored alcoholic beverage, cosmetics or fragrances and conversion recognition (products that have been converted to glass packaging from other forms of packaging). See all the award winners.

Recycle Glass Month is Making its Mark

Recycle Glass Month is in full swing in communities across the country this month. In Colorado, MillerCoors is hosting a variety of events, including a glass collection drive with a goal of collecting 6,000 pounds of glass. MillerCoors will also have a Recycle Glass Month-themed float and information booth at the Arvada Harvest Festival Parade in Arvada, CO.

In Oregon, the Aurora Glass Foundry in Eugene is having an Open House and is providing tours of its operations to celebrate Recycle Glass Month.

In Muncie, IN, Verallia will be promoting Recycle Glass Month at Living Lightly, a resource fair aimed at promoting sustainable lifestyles. And as part of Verallia's ongoing efforts to educate children about the importance of recycling glass containers, Captain Cullet will debut on TV! The animated episodes will air on east central Indiana PBS stations from September 10-27. For more updates, be sure to visit www.GPI.org/recycle-glass-month throughout the month of September.

PACKAGING TRENDS

Vortex™ Glass Bottle Unveiled in New Zealand

Glass container manufacturer, O-I has partnered with Auckland-based DB Breweries to launch the first Vortex™ glass bottle in New Zealand.

The internal embossing technology called Vortex™ enables grooves on the inside of glass bottles, creating distinctive decoration while providing a smooth exterior for easy labelling. DB is using the Vortex™ for its Tui Blond Lager glass package. More

LEGISLATION

Congressman Reed Tours Anchor Glass Plant

The Elmira Heights Anchor Glass facility turns 100 next year, and Congressman Tom Reed (R-NY) toured the facility during August recess and met with plant employees to see how he and Washington can help keep the local facility around for the next century.

All of the glass bottles for Sam Adams, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, and Saranac Beer come from Anchor's Elmira plant. Congressman Reed will work to ensure sustained and affordable energy for the plant and touted the facility as a model business. Anchor Glass is also investing $10 million to help retain jobs and keep the factory competitive. More here and here

GLASS RECYCLING

GPI Releases Results of U.S. Bar/Restaurant Glass Recycling Survey

The Glass Packaging Institute has released an in-depth survey of ten bar, restaurant, and hotel glass container recycling programs in eight states. In addition to collecting data on containers and processes, economic details, and logistics, the survey also identifies eight “best practices” that have come out of these trail-blazing programs.

To start, partnerships are key. Working in tandem, the food service businesses, hauler/recycler, and glass processor can more effectively ensure the recycled glass gets to a glass container manufacturer. And cities and counties that initiate programs are adept at helping to create these connections and bring all the parties together.

According to the survey, the average amount of glass collected through a bar, restaurant, hotel recycling program is about 150 tons/month, with the average number of participating businesses in a program at 100. Overall, implementing glass recycling resulted in a cost neutral for businesses or a small reduction/increase in costs.

Most programs were established to handle a high volume of glass containers generated at bars, restaurants, and hotels, as well as respond to the environmental impact of including glass with the trash rather than recycling it.

View the news release for more survey findings and best practices. And, get a detailed look at the survey in the October issue of Resource Recycling.

1000 WORDS

Like Your Sodas in Glass Bottles? Check Out This LA Hot Spot

John Nese is the proprietor of Galco’s Soda Pop Stop in Los Angeles. Nese seeks out unique sodas, often from independent producers, to feature in his store. Galco's stocks more than 500 sodas in glass bottles, which he says keeps the quality of the soda better than any other form of packaging. Watch the video