The life-cycle of glass—from natural raw materials, to manufacturing, through closed loop recycling—sets the environmental standard for packaging. Glass is infinitely recyclable, made from all natural ingredients, and has a 400 year record of safety.
Environmental Facts
- Glass can be recycled endlessly with no loss in quality or purity.
- An estimated 80% of recovered glass containers are made into new glass bottles.
- In 2010, over 41% of glass beer and soft drink bottles were recycled, nearly 25% of wine and liquor bottles, and over 33% of all glass containers. In some states, like California, glass bottle recycling reaches over 80%.* In Minnesota, the 2009 glass bottle recycling rates was 47%.
*Sources: U.S. EPA, Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2010; and California Department of Conservation.
Glass Recycling “Fast Facts”
- Glass bottles and jars are 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without any loss in purity or quality.
- A glass container can go from a recycling bin to a store shelf in as little as 30 days. An estimated 80% of recovered glass containers are made into new glass bottles.
- Recycling just one glass bottle saves enough energy to light a 100-watt light bulb for four hours, power a computer for 30 minutes, or a television for 20 minutes.
- Glass container manufacturers have set a goal to achieve 50% recycled content in the manufacture of new glass bottles by 2013. Using 50% recycled glass to make new glass containers would save enough energy to power 21,978 homes for one year and remove 181,550 tons of waste from landfills every month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How are glass bottles and jars made?
A. Glass is made from readily-available domestic materials, including sand, soda ash, limestone and “cullet”, the industry term for furnace-ready scrap/recycled glass. The only material used in greater volumes than recycled glass, or cullet, is sand. These materials are mixed, or “batched”, heated to a temperature of 2600 to 2800 degrees Fahrenheit and molded into the desired shape.
Q. How does recycling fit into the glass manufacturing process?
A. Recycled glass is substituted for up to 70% of raw materials. Manufacturers benefit from recycling in several ways—it reduces emissions and consumption of raw materials, extends the life of plant equipment, such as furnaces, and saves energy. More on glass recycling and the environment
Secondary Uses for Recycled Glass
Bottle-to-bottle recycling is the highest and best use of recycled glass. Fiberglass is also a primary market for high-quality cullet.
Made with organic fruit from California Wild Poppy Juice is sweetened with organic agave nectar and mixed with spices from around the world. The flavors include: Blood Orange Chili, Peppermint Lemonade, Plum Licorice, Peach Vanilla and Grapefruit Ginger. The bright colored juices are packaged in 10 oz. glass bottles with applied ceramic labeling.
Order the Flexo Color Guide - Edition X »
Use our Carbon Calculator to find out how much energy you can save by recycling your glass containers.
About the institute
The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is the trade association representing the North American glass container industry. Through GPI, glass container manufacturers speak with one voice to advocate industry standards, promote sound environmental policies and educate packaging professionals. GPI member companies manufacture glass containers for food, beverage, cosmetic and many other products. GPI also has associate members that represent a broad range of suppliers and closure manufacturers.
