Glass Packaging Institute Encourages Consumers to Enjoy Labor Day with Glass in Mind

Alexandria, Virginia (August 29, 2013) – With summer unofficially coming to a close this weekend, the Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) encourages consumers to enjoy their Labor Day cookouts with good company, good food and good beverages packaged in glass.

“This Labor Day weekend, consumers should reach for their beverages packaged in glass to fully enjoy the taste and quality of their end-of-summer barbecues,” stated Lynn Bragg, President of GPI.

Today, when consumers’ pull a beer from their friends’ cooler, they’re increasingly likely to find a craft brew. And they’ll notice that crafter brewers, by and large, choose glass for their offerings. At the recent Craft Brewers Conference in Washington, D.C., glass was the hot topic on the show floor. Mark Burgord of Blue Point Brewery in Patchogue, NY, packages his beer in glass. “Ultimately, I think it’s a taste thing,” he noted. Matt Swihart of Double Mountain Brewer in Hood River, OR, also noted, “Glass is the best container to put beer into. It’s going to protect it the most, give the best shelf live, protect it from sun light, protect it from oxygen; all of which is damaging to beer. It’s the best container to use.”

GPI offers these tips for consumers when preparing for their Labor Day cookouts:

Invest in quality: enjoy the last hoorah of summer with your favorite beverage in glass. Whether one of the major brands or a craft beer, be sure to drink responsibly and be sure to reach for the glass bottles – the taste is superior and will end your summer on a deliciously satisfying, high note. Plan ahead with health in mind: Glass is the optimal packaging choice, safely preserving the flavor and integrity of the foods and beverages it contains. Glass is the only widely-used food packaging granted the FDA’s highest safety standard for food-contact materials. Prepare your side dishes the night before and store them in air tight glass containers to preserve freshness. Do your part: Glass is 100% recyclable, and can be recycled infinitely without loss in quality or purity. Make sure to leave out glass-specific recycling bins for your guests to deposit their containers. For more information on the benefits of glass packaging and best recycling practices, please visit www.gpi.org.

Join the glass conversation with GPI on Twitter @ChooseGlass.

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About the Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) 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.