Glass containers are 100% recyclable. Another reason glass proves a truly sustainable package. Recycling “closes the loop,” turning the glass containers you recycle into new bottles and jars.
And recycling glass has big environmental pay offs. It saves raw materials, lessens demand for energy, and cuts CO2 emissions. More environmental facts.
Recycle Your Glass Bottles
Help turn your glass containers into new bottles and jars. Recycle glass at the curb or a nearby recycling drop-off center. More on how you can recycle »
Survey Finds Majority of Restaurants Recycle
A new survey finds that 65% of restaurateurs have recycling programs, and another 19% of full service operators plan to start one in the next year. Most programs (74%) are “back of house.” The survey of 500 restaurant owners—full service and quick—and 1,100 consumers was conducted in March and April, 2011, by the National Restaurant Association through an unrestricted research grant from Georgia-Pacific Professional. Download survey »
GPI Members Set Goal to Use 50% or Higher Recycled Content for Glass Containers by 2013
Member companies of the Glass Packaging Institute announced this new goal in December 2008. It reflects the strong environmental impact and economic value of using recycled glass, or cullet, in the manufacture of new glass bottles and jars. This practice conserves energy, reduces emissions and consumption or raw materials, and extends the life of plant equipment. GPI estimates energy savings from using 50% recycled content in all glass packages manufactured in the U.S. could save enough energy to power over 45,000 households for a year. Read More »
Bar/Restaurant Glass Recycling Survey Finds Partnerships Essential
Results of an in-depth survey of ten bar, restaurant, and hotel glass container recycling programs in eight states found that partnerships are key. The Glass Packaging Institute announced the survey results September 15, 2011. 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. See the news release and Executive Summary
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. Today, 34 bars and restaurants are participating, with a goal to reach 50 by end of summer. More »
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. More »
U.S. EPA Releases 2010 Recycling Data
New data shows that Americans generated about 250 million tons of trash and recycled/composted nearly 85 million tons, for a 34% recycling rate. In 2010, over 41% of glass beer and soft drink bottles were recycled, nearly 25% of wine and liquor bottles, and 33.4% of all glass containers. Read the report »
Glass Recycling Poised for Growth
A survey of key glass industry players finds that the use of old glass bottles to make new ones is set for a rebound. According to the Resource Recycling news report, new recycling investments are on the horizon and the value of scrap glass may move higher. Read the article »
Ohio DNR Releases Glass Recycling Study
According to a study commissioned by the Ohio Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention and conducted by DSM Environmental, Ohio manufacturers currently use about 110,000 tons of recycled glass annually from Ohio and surrounding states, yet their need is greater—roughly 275,000-295,000 tons/year. Ohio has five manufacturing facilities for container glass, fiberglass, and reflective coatings, as well as four glass processing facilities to supply the manufacturing plants. Download study »
CRI Study Shows Cost and Quality Impacts of Single-Stream Collection
A 2009 study commissioned by the Container Recycling Institute highlights the negative downstream impacts of contaminated feedstock, a result of mixing recyclable materials through single-stream collection. This is especially true for glass containers. According to the report, on average, 40% of glass from single-stream recycling collection winds up in landfills, with only 40% recycled back into new glass containers and fiberglass. Read more and get the report
