SmartBrief

Study delves into hydrogen's potential as furnace fuel

The German Glass Industry Association and the Essen Gas and Heat Institute have collaborated to study the prospects of replacing natural gas as a furnace fuel with hydrogen or a hydrogen-natural gas hybrid. The HyGlass project found hydrogen produces sufficient combustion but maintaining glass quality during combustion is a challenge.  Glass International (5/17)

Saint-Gobain proves net-zero is possible

Saint-Gobain hit carbon-neutral status for one week by using 100% green energy and 100% recycled content in production. The achievement supports the flat glass company's mission to become carbon neutral by 2050.  Glass International (5/17)

Calif.'s new container program will fall short

The Container Recycling Institute and Ming's Resources East Bay Corp. are opposing how a proposed $330 million California initiative that aims to boost recycling rates and access to the state's container deposit system is structured. Representatives for the two groups stated the initiative fails to address long-term problems such as overwhelmed and underfunded redemption centers and a lack of access to recycling in underserved areas.  Recycling Today (5/16)

Taxpayers will lose if proposed energy policy passes

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should reject a proposal that discourages a competitive bid process for energy transmission projects, write Jon Wellinghoff, former FERC chairman, and Paul Cicio, Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition chairman. Only 3% of all projects are put out for bid, which favors incumbent energy companies and denies taxpayers up to 30% in cost savings, they write.  The Hill (5/15)

GPI, FEVE unveil IYOG toolkit

The Glass Packaging Institute and European Container Glass Federation have joined forces to create an interactive toolkit that details the history, sustainability and superiority of glass packaging. The downloadable presentation can be customized and supports the UN designation of 2022 as the International Year of Glass. Glass Online (5/13)

Colo. EPR bill closer to becoming law

An extended producer responsibility bill in Colorado awaits final approval from Governor Jared Polis after passing the state Senate last week. If signed into law, producers would pay annual dues to a producer responsibility organization overseen by the state's Department of Public Health and Environment, and the dues will fund recycling infrastructure improvements.  Waste Dive (5/12)

Vermont's bottle bill update fails to pass this year

The Vermont Legislature has adjourned its 2022 session without passing an update to the state's bottle bill. The update aims to expand the types of containers covered by the state's container redemption system.  VT Digger (Vermont) (5/12)
 

Genesis Alkali taps talent from Wyo. tech school

Genesis Alkali has issued 10 employment offers to graduates of Western Wyoming Community College's Plant Operations and Electrical & Instrumentation Technology programs. Genesis Alkali has supported the Plant Operations program since its inception three years ago.  The Daily Rocket Miner (Rock Springs, Wyo.) (5/12)

New STB rule targets railroad shipping delays

The Surface Transportation Board is ramping up its oversight of the four largest US railroads -- Union Pacific, BNSF, CSX and Norfolk Southern -- in an attempt to alleviate supply chain backlogs. The board is requiring the railroads to submit weekly reports related to hiring and other initiatives aimed at expediting service.  Supply Chain Dive (5/10)

TricorBraun buys 2 UK glass packaging businesses

TricorBraun is continuing its European expansion by acquiring the UK's Continental Bottle Company and its subsidiary DiBro, a glass decoration company. Continental Bottle serves the beauty and fragrance industries.  Packaging Gateway (UK) (5/10)

Why O-I, Glass is making country music debut

O-I, Glass joined forces with country music singer Chase McDaniel, VaynerMedia and Eva Nosidam Productions to release a music video for McDaniel's "Better in a Glass" song that heralds the good memories associated with drinking beer in bottles with friends and family. The song features lyrics such as, "a cold can just can't do that, it tastes better in a glass," and the collaboration represents a "catchy, engaging" way to engage with consumers, according to Shots News.  Shots (UK) (5/10)

Why recycled content mandates often cannot work

Legislative mandates regarding recycled content in packaging are unlikely to succeed due to their failure to consider each region's problems with contamination and supply, writes Dan Felton, executive director of AMERIPEN. For example, the Glass Packaging Institute contends that New Jersey's recently passed mandate used language from a California law without considering the fact that California's bottle bill provides the state with a cleaner glass supply, writes Felton.  Packaging World (5/9)

Bucher Emhart sales up in Q1 of 2022

Bucher Emhart Glass grew net sales to more than $103 million for the first quarter of 2022 -- compared to the roughly $69.7 million in sales during the same period in 2021 -- as markets continue to recover from pandemic lockdowns, according to a company statement. The company expects sales to increase significantly throughout the year.  Glass International (5/6)

O-I, Glass, Coca-Cola team to recycle glass bottles

Georgia-based Coca-Cola Bottling Company United aims to upcycle more than 700,000 damaged and out-of-date bottles into new bottles each year by delivering them to manufacturer O-I, Glass' plant in Virginia. O-I, Glass welcomes the bottling company's decision, as more recycled material is needed to achieve circularity for the glass industry, said Sammy Holaschutz, the company's recycling systems development leader.  Recycling Today (5/5)

Tomra Recycling appoints 2 to sales leadership roles

Tomra Recycling has tapped industry veteran Parker Bynum to serve as sales manager, USA West, replacing Nick Doyle, who is stepping into the new key accounts manager, North America, position. The latter role was created to focus on increasing Tomra's support for its larger clients who operate several sites across North America.  Recycling Today (5/5)

Skin care brand opts for Verescence's PCR glass jars

REN Clean Skincare has chosen glass jars containing 20% post-consumer-recycled content from beauty industry packaging provider Verescence for two facial mask products. Verescence aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 40% by 2034 by using more sustainable furnace technology and recycled glass.  Beauty Packaging (5/5)

Survey: Gen Z consumers want sustainable packaging

Sustainable packaging plays a vital role in Generation Z's e-commerce decisions, according to a survey by packaging producer and consultancy Duo. The poll found unsustainable packaging deters 56% of Gen Z consumers from making a repeat purchase, 78% prefer recyclable packaging, and 73% want packaging that is reusable.  Packaging Europe (UK) (5/5)

State grant to support glass recycling in Pa. county

Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection has awarded the Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority a more than $339,000 grant. The funding will be used to purchase a new truck and a glass recycling container as well as to support recycling education.  Courier-Express/Tri-County (DuBois, Pa.) (5/5)

Ill. officials tout Ripple Glass' collection bin system

The city of Quincy, Ill., reports its glass recycling program has been a success, and the program has even saved the city roughly $7,200 in landfill fees, according to Kevin McClean, director of Quincy's Department of Central Services. The city has collected more than 200 tons of glass materials over the past year via one of Ripple Glass' signature purple drop-off bins. WGEM-TV (Quincy, Ill.) (5/3)

Consultant to help Wash. city improve glass recycling

The city of Walla Walla, Wash., has hired environmental consulting firm WIH Resource Group to discern "the most viable" alternative to mixed glass recycling, said Ki Bealey, public works director. The Arizona-based consultancy will also assist with contract negotiations.  Recycling Today (5/3)

Colo. EPR legislation heads to state Senate

A proposed extended producer responsibility bill in Colorado was approved by the state's House of Representatives and will now be discussed at a state Senate committee meeting and possibly voted on this week. The legislation would establish a producer responsibility organization, which would have an advisory board comprising many industry stakeholders and would be overseen by Colorado's Department of Public Health and Environment beginning in 2026.  Resource Recycling (5/3)

Increased need for glass containers fuels Vidrala's Q1

Vidrala disclosed healthy growth in glass packaging demand in the first quarter of the year with sales increasing by 18.8% compared to 2021. Company leaders say the food and beverage industry helped with the increased demand across regions.  Glass International (5/2)

Demand for wine, spirits bottles boosts O-I, Glass

Growth in European spirits and wine propelled O-I, Glass shipments to Europe 9.9% higher between January and April of 2022 than during the same period in 2021. "Demand for healthy, sustainable glass containers remains strong," CEO Andres Lopez said.  Glass International (5/2)

Calif. bottle bill needs support of redemption centers

Bottle redemption programs are a successful model for improving recycling rates in the states that enact these bottle bills, writes Marisa Endicott, but California's system has been less effective in recent years due to mass closings of container redemption centers. "The bottle deposit is the principal recycling tool in the state, and it's been left to languish," said Jamie Court, president of nonprofit Consumer Watchdog.  The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, Ca.)(4/30)

Ardagh to supply Kansas City, Mo., brewery with bottles

Ardagh Glass Packaging North America has entered into an agreement with Kansas City, Mo., brewery Kansas City Bier Co. to provide glass beer bottle packaging. "It is important to us to reduce our impact on the environment where possible," said Katie Camlin, the brewery's digital and social media coordinator. "Glass bottles are both reusable and recyclable and working with Ardagh, a domestic manufacturer, reduces shipping distances greatly."  Recycling Today (4/29)

Ripple Glass recycles over 1B pounds each year

Ripple Glass has announced that the company now recycles more than one billion pounds of glass materials per year into cullet to produce new glass packaging as well as other materials such as fiberglass insulation. Iowa is Ripple Glass' largest market for container deposits, according to co-founder John McDonald, and he adds that the US should create federal recycling standards to boost rates further.  The Business Journals (4/28)

Tiama chooses new director of hot-end operations

Glass manufacturing inspection and quality-control system provider Tiama has tapped Michel Carpentier to lead the company's hot-end business unit. "Glass quality has always been a hot-end process consequence," said Carpentier. "That is the reason why we think it is so important to invest all our energy and competences in providing efficient hot-end sensors, equipment and software, helping our customers in their daily production life."  Glass International (4/28)

Grant aims to boost glass recycling rates in Pa.

Funding from the Manufacturing PA Initiative may go to help Pennsylvania more robustly recycle in the state through the "Enabling Improved Glass Recycling Technology and Modeling Tools" project. The grant, which comes from the state, will also fund one graduate student to help monitor several predictive models for sorting cullet.  Pennsylvania Business Report (4/27)

CP Group equipment improves end products at Iowa MRF

A new material recovery facility in Des Moines, Iowa, features advanced equipment from CP Group that is said to prioritize safety and produce a cleaner end product. "This advanced equipment package from CP Group reduces contamination early in the sorting process, allowing us to produce the best output for material sales and supporting the strong partnerships we've cultivated with brokers and end-market users," said Michael McCoy, executive director of Metro Waste Authority in Des Moines.  Recycling Today (4/26)

Coca-Cola to pilot returnable bottles in the US

Coca-Cola is testing a returnable glass bottle program in the Southwest region of the US to offer consumers a more affordable alternative to single-use purchases, according to a company statement. The company is also growing existing refillable and returnable glass bottle programs in Africa and Latin America. Reuters (4/25)

Ambev to build $154M eco-friendly bottle plant in Brazil

Ambev is planning to construct an approximately $154 million sustainability-focused glass bottle plant in Brazil for brands such as Beck's and Stella Artois with an opening anticipated for 2025. The facility will process cullet into new bottles, tap renewable sources for electricity and use water- and energy-efficient technology.  Glass International (4/25)

Federal shipping overhaul bill sails through Senate

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act aims to ease supply chain backlogs at US ports by ending unfair business practices related to what types of goods are getting shipped and expediting demurrage and detention disputes, writes co-sponsor Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. The bill unanimously passed the Senate with 100 affirmative votes. Black Hills Pioneer (Spearfish, S.D.) (4/25)

Agr unveils new pressure tester

Agr International has expanded its line of glass container pressure testers by debuting the Ramp Pressure Tester 3. The new tester is said to boost production efficiency by testing two containers at the same time with an accuracy rate above industry standards. China Glass Network (4/22)

Ripple Glass boosts circularity of glass packaging

Ripple Glass of Kansas City, Mo., recycles roughly 50,000 pounds of glass a year with processing for each bottle taking only 13 minutes from arrival to silo, said plant manager Justin Miller. Some of the recycled content is taken to an Ardagh plant in Oklahoma for new glass bottle production. KSHB-TV (Kansas City, Mo.) (4/22)

Calif. bottle bill expansion passes major hurdle

The Environmental Quality Committee in the California Senate has approved a proposal to add wine and spirits bottles to the state's bottle bill. The updated bill would reduce litter and improve the recycling rate for these containers which often end up in the landfill, according to a statement from the bill's co-author, Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa.  Daily Republic (4/21)

Verallia Q1 revenue up 24%

Verallia's first-quarter revenue increased 24% year-over-year, and the glass bottle manufacturer expects annual revenue to grow more than 10% in 2022. "In the current geopolitical context leading to unprecedented energy inflation and a negative inflation spread, the group increased its EBITDA thanks to the operational leverage from the increase in volumes and its Performance Action Plan," said CEO Michel Giannuzzi.  Glass International (4/21)

What's driving growth in the glass container market?

The global glass packaging market is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of nearly 4.4% to a value of nearly $73.3 billion through 2026, according to a Mordor Intelligence report. Glass is recyclable, refillable and reusable, which helps meet growing demand for sustainable packaging, and elevates a product's premium profile, according to industry contacts.  Beverage Industry (4/20)

Saint-Gobain subsidiary to recycle 5K tons of glass

SageGlass, a Minnesota-based subsidiary of Saint-Gobain North America, is planning to divert more than 5,000 tons of glass from landfills through 2027. The company is working with a third-party processor to recycle the glass for use in insulation production and other applications.  Environment & Energy Leader (4/20)
 

Commission okays Ardagh buy of Consol Glass

Ardagh Group's proposed purchase of South African glass container producer Consol Glass has been approved by the country's Competition Commission. The more than $667 million deal moves to the Competition Tribunal for final approval.  BusinessTech (South Africa) (4/19)

SBTi approves Vidrala's plans to shrink carbon footprint

The Science-Based Targets initiative has certified Vidrala's plans to decrease Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 47% and Scope 3 emissions by 28% by 2030. "Science-Based Targets are the globally recognized, externally verified gold standard in measuring corporate climate action, and we're delighted that our ambitious goals have been approved," said Fiacre O'Donnell, director of sustainability at Vidrala.  Glass International (4/19)

Tequila brand pivots to 100% recycled glass bottles

Nosotros Tequila & Mezcal has transitioned to glass bottles made entirely from recycled glass. The move supports the brand's efforts to lower carbon emissions, keep glass out of landfills and decrease its use of natural resources.  Glass International (4/19)

Iowa bottle bill reform alternative makes headway, complicating resolution

Final changes to a proposed update for Iowa's Bottle Bill include tripling the container handling fee to 3 cents, giving retailers opportunities to opt out of the program and ramping up enforcement, writes Rep. Mike Sexton. These changes represent the lawmakers' efforts to protect the interests of consumers, retailers and industry, writes Sexton.  The Messenger (Fort Dodge, Iowa) (4/19)

Mich. eyes higher recycling rate with $7M program

Although Michigan increased its recycling rate by 5 points to 19.3% over a five-year period that ended in 2019, that rate is still far below the national average of roughly 34%, according to a report by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The state has unveiled a $7 million grant program that aims to help local governments and businesses expand recycling programs. MLive (Michigan) (4/18)

Group forms to promote solid waste worker safety

The Solid Waste Association of North America has formed an alliance with its New York and New Jersey chapters and OSHA's New York office to improve workplace safety for solid waste workers. "There have been two fatal incidents in New Jersey over the past 9 months that could have been prevented through better safety education, training and communications," said David Biderman, executive director of SWANA. "This Regional Alliance will help SWANA expand its safety outreach to small haulers and others."  Waste Advantage Magazine (4/15)

Verallia aims to uncork world's lightest champagne bottle

Verallia is working with Champagne Telmont to produce the world's lightest glass champagne bottle. A pilot program is targeting a bottle weight of 800 grams and a 2025 launch for the first release of the new, lighter-weight bottles.  Esquire Magazine (4/14)

GPI concerned with broad EPR bill advancing in Hawaii

Hawaii lawmakers are expected to send a bill that would establish an extended producer responsibility program for packaging to Gov. David Ige and the Glass Packaging Institute has expressed concern about the measure. Several other trade associations have also raised concerns about the vague nature of the proposed legislation, such as a lack of information to ensure compliance and details about how the funds would be distributed.  Waste Dive (4/14)

Tomra report: 5 ways to improve EPR program execution

Extended producer responsibility programs are more likely to succeed if policymakers incentivize designs that promote circularity, establish clear targets and create user-friendly material collection systems, according to a Tomra Recycling white paper. The programs must also include clear rules regarding packaging waste management and promote system integrity with an emphasis on transparency, Tomra notes.  Recycling Today (4/14)

Stoelzle marks first year in the US at Pa. plant

Austrian-based Stoelzle Glass recognized the one-year anniversary of acquiring its first US plant with a ribbon cutting, which was attended by representatives from the Glass Packaging Institute, that unveiled the plant's new production line. The Monaca, Pa., facility produces glass containers for Buffalo Trace, Jack Daniels and other high-end spirits brands, and the company is considering expansion efforts.  Beaver County Times (4/13)

AB InBev takes bottle, can recycling to MLB

Anheuser-Busch InBev has enticed 10 MLB teams to date to sign up to its National Recycling League and four teams will feature volunteer "recycling hawkers" at their stadiums to collect recyclable glass bottles and aluminum cans from fans in partnership with Keep America Beautiful. A spot from Weber Shandwick shows the "recycling hawkers" in action and urges fans to "Recycle Like a Champion."  Ad Age (4/12)

Glass Futures seeks IS machine expertise

Glass Futures is seeking IS machine suppliers for its research and development center in the English city of St Helens, which the nonprofit has pegged as the world's first open-access glass container R&D hub. The center is focusing on emerging technologies related to glass container production.  Glass International (4/12)

Closed Loop, Resource Recycling team on circularity

Closed Loop Partners will finance up to $5 million per Resource Recycling System project that aims to improve aluminum and plastic recycling infrastructure in Washington state, Colorado and Michigan. The initiatives are part of RRS' NextCycle program that focuses on circularity by creating "robust and economically sustainable" end markets, said Jim Frey, RRS CEO.  Recycling Today (4/11)

Kan. community weighs glass program options

Roeland Park, Kan., may make a curbside glass recycling program permanent after a successful pilot coordinated by Ripple Glass. The city is weighing several program options and estimates it could divert more than 830,000 pounds of glass from landfills annually if resident participation mirrors the general recycling rate of 92%.  WDAF-TV (Kansas City, Mo.)(4/8)

Stoelzle installs $1.1M high-speed spraying line in Poland

Stoelzle Glass has invested nearly $1.1 million in a new spraying line at a plant in Poland that processes more than 100,000 bottles a day. The high-speed sprayer uses only water-based inks to boost the plant's sustainability and works on bottles for the pharmaceutical, fragrance and cosmetics industries.  Glass International (4/7)

Tomra marks 50th anniversary with sustainability push

Norway's Tomra Group is celebrating its 50 years in business by committing to a circular economy that prioritizes the preservation of natural resources, according to a company statement. "This is also a time to look forward because we are now opening the chapter in Tomra's story where we step up our role leading the resource revolution," said CEO Tove Andersen.  Recycling Today (4/7)

Senate committee approves rural recycling bill

The Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2022 is eligible for a full US senate vote after gaining approval from the Environment and Public Works committee. The act would allow the EPA to issue grants of up to $15 million for the advancement of recycling services in rural areas.  Recycling Today (4/7)

UK Parliament members learn about IYOG

Glass Futures and British Glass sponsored an International Year of Glass event for the UK's House of Lords last month to discuss the glass industry's sustainability-focused future. "Glass Futures aims to accelerate collaboration across the global glass supply chain to support the industry's sustainability journey, demonstrate and deliver disruptive technologies and generate new ideas with a positive impact all the way through to the consumer," said Richard Katz, Glass Futures CEO.  Glass International (4/6)

Ardagh plant supports Pa. county's glass program

Ardagh Glass Packaging - North America has partnered with Erie, Pa.'s Prism Glass Recycling and other local organizations to create a glass drop-off program in McKean County. Once collected, the glass is used for production at Ardagh's Port Allegany container manufacturing plant.  The Potter-Leader Enterprise (Coudersport, Pa.) (4/6)

EPA pledges more support for recycling

The EPA has unveiled the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan that includes funding for expanding recycling services across the US, especially in rural and suburban areas. The plan also includes a heightened focus on protecting the environment in "historically overburdened and underserved communities," according to an EPA statement.  Resource Recycling (4/5)
 

Glass for Europe names new chair

Saint-Gobain's glass industrial director, Joana Arreguy, has been chosen as Glass for Europe's chairwoman. Arreguy said she welcomes the opportunity to advance the organization's mission to decarbonize Europe's flat glass industry.  Glass International (4/5)

Colo. lawmakers to consider EPR program

Some Colorado legislators hope to boost the state's recycling rate with a new bill that includes an extended producer responsibility component and incentives for producers to use recycled content in their products. The House bill also proposes a uniform, statewide recycling system.  Waste Advantage Magazine (4/4)

Calif. eyes higher recycling rate with new funding

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget proposes allocating $330 million of unredeemed container deposits to programs that would boost recycling rates, such as installing more reverse vending machines and expanding mobile recycling services in under-served areas. "We can get closer to 100% recycling by giving Californians more redemption options and new opportunities to succeed," said Rachel Machi Wagoner, CalRecycle director.  Recycling Today (4/4)

Allied Glass to tap hydropower to boost sustainability

Allied Glass is partnering with Drax Energy Solutions on a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement to certify 100% of Allied's electricity as renewable. The agreement involves hydroelectric power produced in Scotland.  Glass International (4/4)

Wiegand-Glas fires furnace at German plant

Wiegand-Glas has fired a second amber glass furnace at a plant in Thuringia, Germany, after a roughly two-month delay. The delay was caused by COVID-19-related staff shortages and increasing supply chain costs.  Glass International (4/4)

Largest Los Angeles County MRF to open in 2023

Athens Services is set to begin construction of Los Angeles County's largest material recovery facility, which will process up to 6,000 tons of material daily once operational in the second half of next year. The Irwindale, Calif., MRF will source energy from rooftop photovoltaic panels and use optical sorting technology and artificial intelligence to boost recycling capabilities.  Waste Advantage Magazine (4/1)

Wash. county grant program aims to reduce landfill waste

King County in Washington state is issuing $1.8 million in grants to public and private entities working to divert waste from the county's landfill. The new Re+ Circular Economy Grant Program is seeking to fund projects that support waste prevention and reuse as well as create end markets for recycled content.  Waste Advantage Magazine (3/31)

Ardagh recognized for supply chain solutions

Arterra Wines Canada has given Ardagh Glass Packaging - North America its highest rating for suppliers. Emilio Russo, vice president of procurement at Arterra, recognized Ardagh staff for their "collaboration and creativity, often providing solutions to potential issues before they occurred, which mitigated our exposure to supply gaps." Glass Worldwide (3/31)

STB continues gathering input on reciprocal switching

The Surface Transportation Board is accepting additional comments on reciprocal switching and is increasingly expected to adopt the process in some form, although it may initially be limited to locations where reciprocal switching arrangements are already in place. "As quickly became apparent to me in recent years, there has been a downturn trend in both the quality and quantity of service in the industry" that could be solved, in part, by an increase in competition, said Board Chairman Marty Oberman, who has expressed support for the proposal.  Supply Chain Dive (3/30)

SSRC, FIC partner on glass refractory deal

Special Shapes Refractory Corporation and electric melting equipment provider FIC Germany have agreed to a partnership where FIC supplies SSRC with an entirely electric furnace for SSRC's glass refractory services. Glass International (3/30)

O-I Canada to boost cullet use with government grant

O-I, Glass' O-I Canada division will keep up to 75,000 tons of glass out of landfills each year thanks to an approximately $2.8 million grant from the Canadian government, according to a company statement. The grant will fund a digital overhaul of the company's Montreal plant that will enable increased cullet use in glass container production.  Resource Recycling (3/29)

Verescence targets net-zero emissions by 2050

Glass container manufacturer Verescence's plans to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2034 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 include sourcing more energy from renewables and participating in the Vercane project in France, which is researching greener energy sources for glass production, said CEO Thomas Riou. "Reducing the consumption of fossil fuels during the melting process is essential in cutting down on emissions," added Riou.  Premium Beauty News (France). (3/29)

Sourceful raises $20M to develop sustainable packaging

UK-based supply chain transparency startup Sourceful has raised $20 million, which it will use initially to fund packaging design technology focused on sustainability. The funding will also support Sourceful's expansion in international markets such as the US and introducing four new product categories, including glass.  TechCrunch (3/28)

Pa.'s mobile glass collection program returns to county

The Traveling Glass Recycling Bin program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Resources Council is returning to Allegheny County's nine parks this year with a series of week-long drop-off events. The county collected more than 10 tons of glass via the program in 2021.  Pittsburgh City Paper (3/28)

BYU students create on-campus recycling program

Brigham Young University student Chad Hyer and his roommates started collecting glass recycling from other students last year after discovering the school didn't offer on-campus glass recycling services. Hyer's nonprofit Glass Roots Recycling is now partnering with BYU's Office of Sustainability and local recycling companies to provide students bins for glass collection.  The Daily University (Brigham Young University) (3/28)

Furnaces for the Future project to proceed despite setback

A consortium of 19 glass manufacturers -- including O-I, Glass Ardagh, Saverglass, Stoelzle and Verallia -- will continue to invest in the European Container Glass Federation's Furnaces for the Future project despite the European Union's recent refusal to financially support the project, according to a FEVE statement. The project aims to create a carbon-neutral future for the glass manufacturing industry by developing and scaling electric melting technology.  Glass International (3/28)

Study reveals challenges of EPR programs

Extended producer responsibility laws in France, Italy and Germany often fail to fix the root causes of problems associated with recycling, while ignoring recycling programs that work, according to a National Waste & Recycling Association and Eunomia Research & Consulting study. "We hope that this report will drive smart policymaking decisions that increase demand for recycled material," said Darrell Smith, president and CEO of NWRA.  Waste Advantage Magazine (3/27)

Verallia achieves industry first with SBTi validation

Verallia is the first glass packaging producer to receive validation from the Science Based Target initiative for aligning its carbon emissions goals with the SBTi's mission to restrict global warming to +1.5 degrees Celsius. Verallia's carbon-reduction strategies include the use of hybrid and electric furnaces, shifting to low-carbon electricity for plant operations and increasing cullet use.  Glass International (3/25)

 

Lasso Loop completes home recycling machine prototype

Lasso Loop has unveiled a prototype of its in-home recycling machine that sorts, cleans and breaks down glass, plastic and aluminum recycling for pickup services, which can be requested via the Lasso app. The machine will be available as part of a pilot in the San Francisco Bay area next year with a preorder price set at $3,500. CNET (3/23)

SWANA: Retire collection vehicles when useful life passes

Holding onto and maintaining aging collection vehicles, instead of replacing them with newer ones, ends up increasing service costs, the Solid Waste Association of North America notes in its "Efficient Management of Waste & Recycling Collection Resources" report. Other best practices recommended in the report include backup strategies to make sure routes are always served and employment of the latest routing software. Recycling Today (3/22)

Canadian Pacific railroad worker lockout ends

A binding arbitration agreement has been reached between Canadian Pacific and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, ending a lockout the railroad enacted when negotiations over pay, pensions and working conditions stalled. Employees returned to work on Tuesday.  Supply Chain Dive (3/22)

Updates proposed for 50-year-old bottle bill in Vt.

A bill modernizing Vermont's bottle redemption program, which was first passed in 1972, is now before the state Senate's Committee on Natural Resources and Energy. Changes to the proposal include broadening the scope of beverage containers it covers and increasing deposits from 5 to 10 cents, except for the 15-cent deposit on liquor containers.  VTDigger (Vermont) (3/22)

 

Belgian perfume line picks Stoelzle Masnieres for bottles

Stoelzle Masnieres Parfumerie will produce 10 different refillable bottles for Belgian designer Dries Van Noten's 2022-2023 perfume collection. Each 100-milliliter bottle will be distinctive, with eight of them lacquered and two coated in Stoelzle's Quali Glass Coat 2.0 process.  Premium Beauty News (France) (3/21)

Study: rPET increases chemical content in beverages

A study by researchers at Brunel University London discovered 150 plastic container chemicals that had leached into beverages, and the amount increased with the use of rPET versus virgin plastic. "We found these chemicals can come from various sources, such as the catalysts and additives used during production and degradation during PET production, and degradation that can happen across a bottle's lifecycle," said Eleni Iacovidou, the study's lead author, who advises finding packaging alternatives to plastic.  The Guardian (3/18)

The facts behind the glass container supply chain

The supply chain disruptions for glass packaging have more to do with challenges related to logistics, weather and the pandemic, and is not because of tariffs on glass from China or a shortage of amber glass, writes Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. "While the logistical issues all industries face are no doubt impacting some businesses, North American glass manufacturing remains strong, growing and capable of taking on new customers," DeFife writes.  Supply Chain Dive (3/17)

Stoelzle signs onto sustainable glass-melting project

Glass container manufacturer Stoelzle has joined a roughly $16.5 million effort, funded by the German Ministry for Economy and Climate, to develop a glass melting process that reduces greenhouse gases and uses less energy. The ZeroCO2Glas project will use a furnace in Aachen, Germany, using carbon dioxide-free materials, with a goal to cut energy consumption by 15%.  Glass International (3/17)

PepsiCo eyes decrease in single-use beverage packaging

PepsiCo will set a new goal this year for reducing single-use beverage packaging, according to a company statement. The company has already pledged to cut virgin plastic use in food and beverage packaging by 50% by 2030.  Food Dive (3/17)

Iowa lawmakers spar over amended bottle bill

Democrats in Iowa's Senate say Republican changes to the state's recycling law are not enough for the program, while Republicans warn that they will not wait for a deal between beverage distributors and grocery stores. The amended legislation, which increases distributor fees for redemption centers, has been passed out of committee and can now be considered by the full Senate.  Globe Gazette (Mason City, Iowa) (3/17)

UK survey: Glass is container of choice for young adults

A survey by British Glass found 95% of Generation Z adults prefer glass containers over plastic, and members of other age groups said certain foods taste better in glass packaging. Leading those rankings was jam at 57%, followed by beer at 54% and milk at 51%.  PackagingNews (UK) (3/16)

GRF funding boosts glass collection in 3 communities

Grants from the Glass Recycling Foundation totaling $85,000 helped pilot projects focusing on bar and restaurant glass collection in Erie County, Pa., Chicago and Phoenix, Ariz., divert roughly two million beer bottles from landfills last year. "We know that US consumers want to recycle glass, but some communities struggle -- that is where the GRF works to provide matching grants to help fill in glass recycling gaps," said Scott DeFife, president of GRF and the Glass Packaging Institute.  Waste Advantage Magazine (3/15)

Glass manufacturers among year's Energy Star recipients

Ardagh Glass in California and New Jersey, Rocky Mountain Bottle Company in Colorado and O-I, Glass in Pennsylvania are among the Environmental Protection Agency's 93 recipients of Energy Star certification, given for energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse emissions. The EPA rating was the first for Rocky Mountain and O-I, Glass.  Waste Advantage Magazine (3/15)

Container legislation makes headway in Ore., N.Y.

Legislation in Oregon that expands the state's bottle bill to include canned wine is headed to the governor's desk for approval. New York lawmakers are considering an extended producer responsibility program included in the governor's budget, but the program may end up in a separate bill rather than the final budget, which is due April 1.  Waste Dive (3/14)

GPI: Waste management industry needs more oversight

Stories of communities forced to drop glass from curbside recycling often miss the fundamental reasons why those decisions are made. More transparency from the waste management industry would help localities make good decisions, and more regulation would potentially help mitigate contamination of recycled glass, allowing more availability and use of recycled content, said Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. "[I]f there were some better, higher standards for performance then that would increase the quality of the material coming out of the system," said DeFife. The Allegheny Front (Pa.) (3/11)

Ardagh sculpts detailed designs into new wine bottle

Constellation Brands has unveiled a 360-degree design created and produced by Ardagh Glass Packaging North America that features intricately debossed images on bottles of Crafters Union wine. "We continue to focus on innovations in complex bottle texturing, as well as new design techniques and manufacturing capabilities, to create an extra dimension of creativity and branding for customers like Constellation Brands," said Darrell Wineman, vice president of food, wine and spirits for Ardagh. Glass International (3/11)

New glass recycling business launches in Ark.

Epic Glass Recycling has started residential and commercial glass collection in central Arkansas. Epic's services include drop-off collection, curbside pickup and educating the public about the benefits of glass recycling. Talk Business & Politics (Little Rock, Ark.) (3/10)

Sierra Club calls on Iowans to support Bottle Bill

Iowans should ask state legislators to vote against the SF2122 bill, as it aims to limit the number of container redemption centers available to residents, according to the Sierra Club's Iowa Chapter. The Sierra Club also encourages Iowans to lobby legislators for a bottle bill overhaul that would increase handling fees and cover new beverage container types.  Sierra Club (3/10)

New glass recycling symbol featured on Vidrala bottles

Vidrala is featuring the glass recycling symbol created by the European Container Glass Federation on 750-milliliter bottles produced by a plant in Northern Ireland. FEVE encourages the symbol's use to help Europe achieve a 90% glass recycling rate by 2030.  Glass International (3/10)

Fla. community resumes curbside glass recycling

The city of Jacksonville, Fla., is ending a glass drop-off bin program at the end of the month as curbside recycling collection resumes April 4. A city council special committee tasked with deciding what materials to keep in the curbside program will make recommendations this summer.  WJXT-TV/WCWJ-TV (Jacksonville, Fla.) (3/9)

Ripple Glass to collect Okla. city's glass

Ripple Glass is entering into an agreement with the city of Stillwater, Okla., to pick up and process the city's glass recycling every time 20 tons have been collected from a curbside program. The agreement will save the city recycling costs of $19 per ton. Stillwater News Press (Okla.) (3/9)

Iowa recycling company sold to Schupan and Sons

Schupan and Sons, a Michigan-based deposit container recycling company, has acquired Iowa-based Mid America Recycling, expanding the company's footprint. Schupan also operates facilities in Ohio and Indiana as well as Michigan. MLive (Michigan) (3/8)

Berlin Packaging acquires Canadian bottle producer

Berlin Packaging has purchased Canadian glass bottle and closure producer United Bottles & Packaging. United serves the wine, beer, spirits, nonalcoholic beverage and food industries.  Ink World (3/7)

O-I, Glass engineer earns women in manufacturing award

The Manufacturing Institute's Science, Technology, Engineering and Production Women's Initiative is honoring Monica Pacheco, a global glass science engineer at O-I, Glass, with a STEP Ahead Award. "I hope this award demonstrates to young women around the world what's possible, within the fields of engineering, technical and manufacturing," said Pacheco. Glass International (3/7)

Vetropack's Ukrainian plant hit during Russian invasion

A Vetropack glass container plant in Kyiv, Ukraine, has suffered severe damage related to the Russian invasion, said Johann Reiter, CEO of Vetropack Holding. No employees were harmed as a suspension of plant operations was already underway, said Reiter.  Glass International (3/6)

O-I, Glass purchases bins for Colo. city glass collection

O-I, Glass is funding the purchase of two glass drop-off bins for a new glass recycling program in Greeley, Colo. The bins will be located outside two local businesses, and the city will transport the glass to Denver for recycling.  The Tribune (Greeley, Colo.) (3/4)

New glass recycling center opens in La. city

Glass Act Recycling, a glass sorting and crushing facility, has opened in Alexandria, La. Residents can bring their glass recycling to Glass Act two days a week.  KALB-TV (Alexandria, La.) (3/4)

Ore. bottle bill update crosses key hurdle

Oregon's Senate has passed an update to the state's bottle bill that increases redemption rates and adds aluminum can packaging for wine to the list of containers covered by the bill. The new bill is heading to the state's House of Representatives for consideration.  KQEN-AM (Roseburg, Ore.) (3/3)

GPI: Glass recyclers fill gaps of "landfill economics"

Ripple Glass, Strategic Materials, Phoenix Glass, Ace Glass and other private glass collection providers fill municipal gaps that are often caused by "landfill economics," said Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. "You take one bottle, it's consumed, it's recycled, and within 30 days, that same bottle becomes another bottle," said Ripple president Mike Patterson." If you put that in the landfill, it takes forever to degrade." Business Insider (3/3)

UN proposes legally binding plastic reduction treaty

The UN is drafting a legally binding global treaty that aims to drastically reduce plastic waste. The treaty is reportedly targeting the entire lifecycle of plastic packaging.  Reuters (3/2)

Glass recycling can help reduce coastal erosion

With more demand for sand globally, communities with coastal restoration needs can follow the example set by Glass Half Full in Louisiana, which has processed 650,000 pounds of glass recycling into sandlike crystals since its founding, writes Vanessa Siguenza. Another model program is the residential glass pickup service provided by Bricolage Dynamics in South Carolina that supplies materials for construction and landscaping.  Daily Titan (California State University,  Fullerton) (3/2) 

Why glass recycling is poised to grow

Glass recycling rates are expected to increase due to more consumers, businesses and municipalities wanting to keep glass out of landfills, according to the Glass Recycling Coalition. New recycled content standards for packaging and the development of new end uses for recycled glass are also increasing demand for recycled glass, said Archie Filshill, CEO at AeroAggregates.  American Recycler (3/2)

Coors Light to eliminate six-pack plastic rings

Molson Coors is investing $85 million in new machinery to replace the plastic rings used on six-packs of Coors Light with cardboard wraps this year. All of the company's North American portfolio will transition to the new packaging by 2025, removing 1.7 million pounds of plastic from the system each year, said CEO Gavin Hattersley. CNN (3/1)

Conn. community pilots glass recycling initiative

Five Connecticut municipalities have begun testing a program that will separate glass containers for recycling via a drop-off bin at the town of Westport's transfer station, and if the initiative is successful, it will also launch in nine additional surrounding towns. "By separating glass from the single stream, contamination is eliminated on both ends and makes the glass more valuable," said Peter Ratkiewich, the public works director for Westport.  Westport News (Conn.) (3/1)

NWRA study offers incomplete bottle bill analysis

A recent National Waste & Recycling Association study that indicates bottle bills increase material recovery facility costs fails to factor in the cost-savings communities gain from having less litter and contaminated stormwater and lower landfill fees, writes Susan Collins, president of the Container Recycling Institute. However, Collins adds, "We do commend the organization for including extended producer responsibility for packaging and printed paper among its suggested policy options."  Resource Recycling (3/1)

Verallia pauses production in Ukraine

Verallia has temporarily halted glass container production at its Ukrainian plant to protect employees, according to Dirk Bissel, Verallia Deutschland general manager. The plant supplies the Ukrainian and European markets.  Glass International (3/1)

Pa. county to establish glass drop-off bin network

The Pennsylvania Resources Council has partnered with four communities to form the Glass Recycling Collaborative of Southwestern PA. The group plans to install 10 permanent glass drop-off bins in Allegheny County. WESA-FM (Pittsburgh) (2/28)
 

O-I, Glass to tap renewable energy for European plants

O-I, Glass is partnering with renewable energy supplier Engie to boost the sustainability of its European plants. Engie provides energy from hydro, wind and solar sources, and the deal will help O-I, Glass achieve its goal of reducing carbon emissions by 25% by 2030, said Randy Burns, chief sustainability officer.  Glass International (2/28)

GPI's plans for boosting glass recycling in the US

The Glass Packaging Institute is taking a localized approach to helping the US achieve a 50% glass recycling rate, such as securing secondary glass processing sites in the Northeast and developing hub-and-spoke delivery systems in the West, said Scott DeFife, president of GPI. States with bottle bills and cities with glass drop-off sites provide the higher-quality recycled content needed by end users, added DeFife. Waste360 (2/28)

N.J. awards millions in recycling grants

New Jersey's Gov. Phil Murphy has issued grants ranging from nearly $101,000 to more than $450,000 to more than 30 cities to help expand municipal recycling programs. The grants are based on each community's 2019 recycling activity.  TAPinto (2/25)

Mich. city collects 20 tons of glass with new bin program

Marquette, Mich., has collected roughly 20 tons of glass recycling this year with a new collection program, according to the city's Public Works Department. The city has replaced curbside glass collection with two drop-off bins. WLUC-TV (Negaunee, Mich.) (2/23)

 

Heinz-Glas unveils germ-fighting coating for containers

Germany's Heinz-Glas has partnered with industrial coatings producer Weilburger to unveil an antiviral and antibacterial layer for glass containers called senoglass Carecoating. The invisible coating is said to eliminate harmful micro-organisms from container surfaces, enabling safe pickup from store shelves, according to the companies.  Premium Beauty News (2/22)

More advocates back Mass. bottle bill revision

Environmental groups and local governments are urging Mass. lawmakers to pass proposed updates to the state's bottle bill that include doubling the deposit rate and accepting more beverage container types. The new bill would "bring immediate results, with higher reuse and recycling of plastic and glass containers, cleaner roads and parks, and substantial savings for city and town budgets," said Geoff Beckwith, executive director at the Massachusetts Municipal Association.  The Daily News (Newburyport, Mass.) (2/22)

UK glass recycler partners with Encirc

UK glass recycling firm Recresco has entered into a five-year agreement to supply glass packaging producer Encirc with high-quality glass cullet. "We know that by working with Encirc, our product will be manufactured back into glass bottles and containers in the most energy-efficient way," said Tim Gent, director of Recresco. Glass International (2/21)

Ardagh grant supports STEM school program in Mo.

Ardagh has given Missouri's Fox C-6 School District a $755,000 grant to support a STEM curriculum called Project Lead the Way. "As a business, STEM and career learning is at the center of everything we do, so to invest in a proven quality program like Project Lead the Way and get it into the schools in our communities is something that we are highly committed to," said Sean Cosgrove, Ardagh's global head of education programs. Jefferson County Leader (2/19)

Iowa's bottle bill update would buoy redemption centers

A proposed update to Iowa's bottle bill was introduced to lawmakers last week that aims to expand the types of beverages covered by the bill and double redemption center handling fees. The changes are needed to keep redemption centers economically viable with owners facing inflation-related cost increases, said Shannon Moller, manager of a redemption center in Dubuque, Iowa.  KCRG-TV (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) (2/18)

Stoelzle Glass recognized for sustainability

The Stoelzle Glass Group has earned a gold ranking from global sustainability ratings provider EcoVadis for the second consecutive year. Stoelzle's corporate social responsibility initiatives include reducing carbon emissions and expanding its environmental and energy management system to every plant.  Glass International (2/18)

La. glass recycling startup aims to beautify backyards

Backyard Sapphire collects a ton-and-a-half to two tons of glass recycling monthly from roughly 100 businesses and homes in Lafayette, La. Local couple Tina Crapsi and Dawn Vincent founded the business in 2020 with a homemade glass crusher that produces glass mulch and pebbles and sand for landscaping.  KATC-TV (Acadian, La.) (2/17)

GPI accepting Clear Choice Awards submissions for 2022

The submission period for the Glass Packaging Institute's 2022 Glass Choice Awards has started and ends May 31 with winners announced this fall. "After the success of last year's revival of the awards, we've decided to go full steam ahead and continue with our momentum of highlighting innovators in the glass industry," said GPI president Scott DeFife. "We look forward to seeing this year's submissions and to celebrating the beauty of glass packaging."  Glass International (2/17)

Pernod Ricard exec: Investment in glass recycling is key

Pernod Ricard's sustainability goals include using 50% recycled content in glass packaging by 2025, said Nomie Bauer, sustainable business director. In order to ensure a steady supply of high-quality materials for glass manufacturing, companies and governments need to invest time and resources into glass recycling efforts, added Bauer. Packaging World (2/16)

Stoelzle's $25M furnace upgrade cuts carbon use

Austria's Stoelzle Oberglas has improved the energy efficiency of its flint furnace by 13% per ton after investing nearly $25 million in furnace upgrades. Stoelzle has also produced batch formulas containing recycled glass content that will help the manufacturer lower carbon emissions by 16%.  Glass International (2/14)

Coca-Cola to use more refillable containers

Coca-Cola is expanding its World Without Waste mission to include using glass and plastic refillable and returnable containers for 25% of its beverages sold worldwide. The initiative also aims to recycle a Coca-Cola container for each one sold by 2030.  ESGToday (2/14)

Why US needs national recycling standards

Uniform, national recycling standards would curb consumer confusion about what can be recycled, decrease contamination in curbside programs and help return municipal recycling programs to profitability, writes Linnea Harris. "So, 'wishful' or 'aspirational' recycling -- that is, wishfully throwing items in the recycling just in case they can be recycled, especially in single-stream recycling -- can lead to even more waste," adds Harris.  EcoWatch (2/14)

Va. city weighs options for reviving glass collection

Officials in Warrenton, Va., are considering using federal pandemic-relief aid to revive glass recycling in the city. One option involves purchasing a truck to collect glass recycling deposited at drop-off sites, which would save the city $1.5 million over the next decade, said Rea Price, Warrenton's budget manager.  Fauquier Now (Warrenton, Va.) (2/14)

Strategic Materials launches glass collection challenge

Strategic Materials is encouraging residents of Moore County, N.C., to help the county recycle 70 tons of glass by Earth Day, April 22. The glass recycling company has pledged to make a significant donation to the Northern Moore Family Resource Center if the goal is met.  Sandhills Sentinel (2/11)

San Francisco pilots mobile program to boost recycling

San Francisco aims to compensate for a lack of recycling centers and revitalize redemption rates with the BottleBank pilot program. Residents can buy barcoded bags for their recycling at grocery stores, drop the bags off at designated sites and redeem their deposits electronically via an app once the recycling is sorted at mobile recycling centers. Earth911  (2/11)

IYOG kickoff recognizes virtues of glass packaging

Several industry leaders addressed the International Year of Glass kickoff at the UN Palace of the Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, reminding attendees how glass packaging elevates brand value and supports the environment. "Glass is endlessly recyclable, guarantees quality and safety no matter how many times it's recycled and it's virtually inert," said Vitaliano Torno, president of O-I, Glass' business operations and O-I Europe.  Glass International (2/10)

Bottle bill update would keep Iowa redemption centers open

Lee Collins, owner of a container redemption center in Iowa, supports a proposed overhaul of the state's bottle bill that includes doubling the handling fee to two cents per container. "You won't have to wonder day by day if you're going to be able to open up," said Collins. "That penny adds a lot."  KTVO-TV Kirksville, Mo.) (2/10)

3 reasons Vt. should update bottle bill 

Vermont lawmakers must get proposed updates to the state's bottle bill passed to revitalize the state's recycling rates, reduce roadside waste and keep container producers supplied with recycled content, writes Richard Butz in a letter to the Addison County Independent. Proposed changes would allow redemption centers to accept several new categories of beverage containers and double the deposit fee to 10 cents. Addison Independent (Vt.) (2/10)

Domestic glass bottle supply offers solution to export ills

The domestic glass bottle industry is strong enough to meet increasing demand, but wineries that depend on exports are struggling due to port congestion and skyrocketing shipping costs, said Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. "We know it's a real problem, mostly for those people who are relying on imported glass," added DeFife.  Wine Enthusiast Magazine (2/9)

International Year of Glass kicks off tomorrow

A two-day event beginning tomorrow in Geneva, Switzerland, will officially launch the United Nations International Year of Glass. The UN's Palace of Nations will host the event, which is supported by the Glass Packaging Institute, and a recording of the event will be available to livestream on UN WebTV.  Glass International (2/8)

Ardagh, Prism Glass sponsor Pa. county's glass program

Ardagh Group and Prism Glass Recycling are supporting a glass drop-off program that is being established in McKean County, Pa. The free program will accept glass containers for recycling at multiple drop-off bins in the county.  The Bradford Era (2/8)

Lawmakers may introduce federal bottle bill

Rep. Alan Lowenthal, D-Calif., and Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., are introducing legislation that would create a national bottle bill. The bill proposes deposit rates of 10 to 15 cents, recycled content minimums for plastic containers and a study to consider requiring recycled content minimums for glass and other containers. Resource Recycling (2/8)

Coalition forms to advocate for N.Y. bottle bill update

A coalition of more than 150 organizations is urging New York lawmakers to update the state's bottle bill by doubling the deposit fee and including more beverage container types. The changes would revitalize recycling and double the income of people who depend on container redemption for their livelihoods, coalition members argue.  The Riverdale Press (2/7)

Glass Futures begins UK research center construction

Glass Futures has started building a more than $73 million research center in the UK that will focus on ways to de-carbonize the glass industry. The facility is scheduled for completion by January of next year.  Glass International (2/7)

To-go container from O-I, Glass attracts major brewers

The Drinktainer, the new to-go beverage solution from O-I, Glass that is designed with a wider mouth to replicate the on-premise drinking occasion, is rolling out to bars, restaurants and breweries, including Lagunitas and Blue Moon. "The at-home flight is enhanced by the wide-mouth Drinktainer format, which resembles the aromatic and tasting experience of our 10-ounce mason jar," said Mark Puente, retail operations director for Lagunitas. Packaging World (2/3)

 

O-I, Glass recognized for ESG efforts

Two firms that rate businesses on their environmental, social and governance status have recognized O-I, Glass with EcoVadis upgrading its rating of the company from bronze to silver and Sustainalytics designating it as an ESG Regional Top-Rated performer. "We have taken bold action in how we define and measure sustainability in the production of that sustainable packaging as we work to reinvent the industry," said CEO Andres Lopez.  Glass International (2/2)

O-I, Glass' Q4 shipments up 5.3%

Fourth-quarter shipments from O-I, Glass increased 5.3% year-over-year and surpassed pre-pandemic levels, according to CEO Andres Lopez. Other quarterly highlights included progress made with deploying the company's new MAGMA glass production technology, said Lopez.  Glass International (2/2)
 

Enforcement is key to updating Iowa's bottle bill

Changes to Iowa's bottle bill must include enforcement capabilities that target retailers who refuse to accept containers, writes Terese Grant, president of the League of Women Voters of Iowa. The state's Department of Natural Resources is tasked with enforcing the bottle bill but currently bears "no authority or power to enforce regulation," Grant writes.  The Gazette ( Cedar Rapids-Marion, Iowa) (2/1)

Glass recycler in New Orleans eyes statewide expansion

New Orleans-based Glass Half Full is collecting donations for a $1 million processing facility that will allow the business to expand its glass recycling services across Louisiana, said co-founder Franziska Trautmann. The glass recycling startup is also supplying sand to Tulane University for research that aims to use recycled glass in coastal restoration.  Resource Recycling (2/1)

Improved forecasting to help alleviate supply constraints

Although the factors that have contributed to shortages of semiconductors, aluminum, food products, plastics and building materials will continue this year, the impact of the constraints is expected to be reduced as companies improve in responding to disruptions and forecasting. Although the shortages will not be alleviated, "this might be the year where we reach some sort of predictability," said Simon Geale executive vice president at supply chain consultancy Proxima. Supply Chain Dive (1/31)

GPI on how to boost glass recycling rates

More communities across the US are reinstating curbside glass container collection, said Glass Packaging Institute president Scott DeFife. A separate curbside bin for glass is the best option for boosting recycling rates, and extended producer responsibility programs could help fund this option, added DeFife.  Waste Dive (1/31)

US wine industry benefits from domestic glass production

Domestic glass bottle producers provide up to 75% of the supply needed by the US wine industry that also benefits from the fact raw materials for glass are primarily produced by US or Canadian suppliers, said Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. "Once you have turned the raw materials into glass, it comes back as glass over and over and over again, as many times as you can put it back in," said DeFife. "There's no degradation in the quality of the material."  Wine Enthusiast Magazine (1/31)

Glass Futures tests low-carbon furnace fuels

The UK's Glass Futures, a nonprofit tasked with developing lower-carbon energy sources for the glass industry, is testing the use of hydrogen and biofuels in glass furnaces. A report on the project's results is expected this summer.  Glass International (1/31)

Why beauty brands are using more glass packaging

Glass packaging in the beauty industry is moving beyond the prestige category to include mass-market companies, such as skin care brand The Ordinary. This trend is due to the material's ability to be endlessly recycled and convey quality, said Robert Bulla, director of engineering and innovation at APC Packaging.  Cosmetics Design (1/28)

Bucher Emhart Glass sales up 65% last year

Sales for Bucher Emhart Glass rebounded last year with orders up nearly 65% and returning to pre-pandemic levels. The increase was spurred by more glass container manufacturers investing in facility upgrades, according to a company statement.  Glass International (1/28)

GPI: No shortages in US glass material supply

The US glass container industry produced 1.5 billion bottles during the first three quarters of 2021, providing stability to the country's wine industry and refuting the idea that there is a glass shortage, said Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute, at last week's Unified Wine and Grape Symposium. DeFife also shared that US bottle producers are making progress with sustainable options, such as lighter-weight glass, and that 88% of wine consumers prefer glass packaging.  Glass International (1/27)

Deposit programs boost recycling rates

States with container deposit programs have improved recycling rates and reduced container waste, writes Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League. Greenberg cites how these programs enable quality glass container collection and reduce contamination.  The Hill (1/25)

Conn. community launches glass drop-off program

Fairfield, Conn., is piloting a program coordinated by the state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection that aims to improve the quality of glass recycling content. Residents can opt to take their glass recycling to a drop-off bin rather than leave it out for curbside pickup with glass from the drop-off program delivered to Urban Mining CT for processing into pozzolan.  Fairfield Citizen (Conn.) (1/23)

6 reasons to choose glass packaging

Glass is a superior packaging option due to its sustainability, reuse capabilities, design flexibility and ability to preserve flavor and freshness, writes Adrian Welch. Glass containers can withstand high temperatures during filling and present products in a more aesthetically pleasing manner, adds Welch.  e-architect (1/23)

Momentum builds for N.H. bottle bill

Interest in a bottle bill in New Hampshire is growing due to a heated debate about opening a new landfill in the northern part of the state, said Rep. Tim Egan, the bottle bill's co-sponsor. Proponents of the bill cite Glass Packaging Institute data finding that states with bottle bills increase glass recycling rates from an average of 24% to 63%. Concord Monitor (N.H.) (1/22)

Host cities in Pa. needed for mobile glass recycling

The Pennsylvania Resources Council is seeking communities in the western part of the state to host the council's Traveling Glass Recycling Bin Program. "The Traveling Bin provides residents with a higher quality glass recycling option than typical curbside programs, ensuring that glass deposited into the bin meets the highest standards and can be fully recycled," said Sarah Alessio Shea, the council's deputy director.  New Castle News (Pa.) (1/21)

Stoelzle unveils furnace at Austrian plant

Stoelzle Glass Group has fired a new Horn Glass Industries' furnace system complete with seven forehearths at a plant in Koflach, Austria. The furnace features Horn's latest innovations for heating and control.  Glass International (1/21)

GPI: Domestic glass industry ready to supply wineries

The price of wine may increase $3 to $5 a bottle due to many factors affecting the industry, including the use of imported glass bottles, said Kathleen Inman, owner of Santa Rosa, Calif.-based Inman Family Wines. Glass Packaging Institute President Scott DeFife said there are no shortages in the domestic glass supply as production continues to keep up with demand, but many wineries experience issues due to reliance on imported glass.  KRON-TV (San Francisco) (1/20)

How Vitro prioritizes sustainability

Vitro Architectural Glass is the first US glass producer to earn Cradle-to-Cradle certification and publish Environmental Product Declarations. "[O]ur goal is to foster continuous advancement and environmental responsibility through the built environment," said Nathan McKenna, director of marketing and innovation.  Glass International (1/20)

How GPI championed the glass industry throughout 2021

Glass industry highlights from 2021 include the return of the Glass Packaging Institute's in-person Annual Meeting and Clear Choice Awards program, writes Scott DeFife, GPI president. GPI also touted the reliability of the domestic glass supply during a year marked by supply chain disruption and plans to continue advocating for the circularity of glass, an improved recycling system and expanded end markets in 2022, writes DeFife.  Glass Worldwide (Jan/Feb 2022)

GPI backs effort opposing Build Back Better tax provision

The Glass Packaging Institute has joined 87 other industry organizations in signing a letter that asks Congressional leadership to abandon the proposed steep tax increase within President Joe Biden's Build Back Better bill. The letter suggests Congress pivot to "the challenges confronting American families and businesses today -- rising prices, labor shortages and ongoing supply chain constraints."  Repairer Driven News (1/19)

British Glass plans events to mark UN's Year of Glass

British Glass will commemorate 2022 as the UN's International Year of Glass by hosting the Recycling Summit in March, Glass Focus Awards in November and regular discussions about how the UK glass industry can achieve carbon-neutral status. "The International Year of Glass provides the global glass industry with a unique opportunity to really celebrate everything that makes our industry so innovative and forward-thinking," said CEO Dave Dalton.  Glass Worldwide (1/18)

Startup to launch at-home recycling appliance

Lasso Loop is a California-based startup developing a home appliance that uses artificial intelligence, sensors and cameras to sort and clean recycling to prevent contamination. The company is planning to pilot the machines and a recycling pickup service in San Francisco next year and partner with end users in need of quality recycled content such as glass and metal materials. The Washington Post (1/18)

N.Y. governor considers EPR legislation

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed introducing extended producer responsibility legislation to ease the financial responsibilities on municipalities that is related to processing recycling and waste. An EPR law would also "reduce waste, invest in recycling infrastructure, make products that are easier to recycle and support a circular economy," said Hochul.  The Sun (Elizabethtown, NY) (1/18)

N.Y. bill seeks to revise container deposit law

An update to New York's bottle bill that has been introduced in the state Assembly by assemblyman Kevin Cahill aims to double the deposit fee to 10 cents and expand the bill to cover wine, sports drinks, iced teas and other beverage containers currently not accepted at redemption centers. The bill also proposes raising handling fees to 5 cents.  Spectrum News (1/17)

Refill service keeps wine bottles in circulation

New York-based Good Goods provides wine bottle reuse services for roughly 60 US wine brands by collecting the empty bottles at retail and returning the bottles to wineries for reuse after they are sanitized. Good Goods encourages consumers to return the branded bottles to retail by offering $1 discounts on their next purchase.  The Spoon (1/12)

Pa. council plans permanent glass drop-off site

The Quaker Valley Council of Government is seeking a permanent location in Sewickley, Pa., for dropping off glass recycling. The site would be available to residents of the council's 15 member communities. Trib Total Media (Tarentum, Pa.) (1/12)

Bottle bill momentum sweeps across the Northeast

Connecticut's success with updating its bottle bill last year has spurred momentum in Vermont and Massachusetts, where lawmakers are considering similar bottle bill updates, said Susan Collins, Container Recycling Institute president. This momentum may also inspire non-bottle bill states in the Northeast to start their own container redemption programs, said Kirstie Pecci, Zero Waste Project director.  Resource Recycling (1/11)

GPI opposes N.J. recycled content bill shortfalls

New Jersey's state legislature has passed a bill requiring recycled content minimums in packaging, including 25% to 35% for glass containers. The Glass Packaging Institute has opposed the measure, explaining it was inspired by similar legislation in California which, unlike New Jersey, has a bottle bill and is better suited to meet recycled content demand, according to GPI president Scott DeFife.  Recycling Today (1/11)

Elliott: Reciprocal switching offers benefits for all

Congress initially developed the reciprocal switching statute intending to promote competition in the rail industry and, with competition lacking in the current environment, it's a good time for the Surface Transportation Board to revisit the policy, says former STB Chairman Daniel Elliott in this interview. Reciprocal switching is a sensitive issue right now, but it's important to remember the practice is already being used successfully in some parts of the US and that it could lead to growth for shippers and railroads alike, said Elliott.  FreightWaves (1/11)

Ardagh's plans for UN International Year of Glass

Ardagh Glass Packaging will mark the United Nations' International Year of Glass 2022 designation by sponsoring the National Day of Glass in April in Washington, D.C., and Germany's Glasstec event in September. Ardagh will also honor the designation by working on commitments the company has made to innovation and sustainability throughout the year, said Mike Dick, chief commercial officer.  Glass International Online (1/10)

Why EPR laws are a win for taxpayers

Recently enacted extended producer responsibility laws in Maine and Oregon will benefit residents in those states by reducing recycling costs and improving recycling rates, said Scott Cassel, CEO of the Product Stewardship Institute. "It will also provide producers with the financial incentive to make their packaging more sustainable and local communities with funding for reuse and waste prevention programs," added Cassel.  Earth911 (1/10)

Glass commission names Reinhard Conradt president

Reinhard Conradt is the new International Commission on Glass council president. Conradt, a former professor and chair of glass and ceramic composites at Rheinisch-Westfalische Technische Hochschule Aachen University in Germany, will serve as council president through 2024.  Glass International Online (1/7)

Chanel debuts refillable glass beauty packaging

Chanel has released No. 1 de Chanel, a cosmetics and skin care line featuring zero plastic packaging, light-weight glass bottles and the brand's first refillable glass container. The latter also includes a bio-based lid and liner.  Edie (U.K.) (1/7)

Communities benefit from O-I, Glass' Glass4Good program

The Glass4Good initiative sponsored by O-I, Glass provides free glass recycling collection, educational messaging about the circularity of glass and financial support of local charities in two Virginia communities. Programs benefiting from this support include literacy and workforce development efforts coordinated by the United Way.  Waste360 (1/7)

Glass-to-soil research receives EPA funding

Nearly $3.6 million in new funding from the EPA is being allocated to small businesses striving to improve the environment. Philadelphia-based Olin received roughly $400,000 for its work dedicated to processing disposed of glass into soil that can be used in municipal green space and horticultural projects.  Recycling Today (1/7)

Tomra promotes Eva Sagemo to CFO position

Reverse recycling vending machine producer Tomra Systems has named 10-year company veteran Eva Sagemo as chief financial officer. Sagemo will assume the position late next month. Kiosk Marketplace (1/6)

Mexican glass producer utilizes Heye inspection machinery

Glass manufacturer Vidrio Formas has installed inspection equipment from Heye International at a recently expanded glass production plant in Mexico. "Reliability and failure safety are particularly important to us," said Alex Schneeweiss, operations manager at Vidrio Formas. "For these reasons we have ordered two more inspection machines." Glass International Online (1/5)

Why Calif. has $350M in unclaimed container deposits

Billions of containers have not been redeemed in California due to a decrease in redemption centers. Only 68% of materials are currently redeemed, which is leaving $350 million in unclaimed deposits on the table.  San Francisco Chronicle (1/4)

Verallia to make history with 100% electric-fired glass

Verallia is planning to replace a fossil fuel-fired furnace with two electric furnaces at its glass packaging plant in Cognac, France. "This electric furnace technology has never been implemented in France or even in Europe for food packaging glass," said Olivier Rousseau, Verallia France CEO.  Glass International Online (1/4)

Closed Loop invests in recycling provider

Closed Loop Partners has joined other investors in taking a majority stake in Sims Municipal Recycling, which processes all of New York City's glass, metal and plastic recycling and operates facilities in New Jersey and Florida. The $45.4 million stake is expected to spur Sims' expansion into other markets and allow Sims to accept a wider range of recycling materials.  Waste Dive (1/4)

The immeasurable environmental cost of plastic

Plastic use in packaging is becoming so ubiquitous that its rapidly accelerating production is contributing to climate change and overwhelming a "flailing, failing" recycling system, writes environmental sociologist Rebecca Altman. "The plastics industry hasn't had to account for the true costs of its operations, either, including the price of what it has burned, drummed, dumped, lagooned, landfilled, injected, spilled, incinerated, sent up the stack, or drained out the outfall pipe," writes Altman. The Atlantic (subscription) (1/3)

O-I, Glass divests Columbian tableware subsidiary

Nadir Figueiredo, a Brazil-based tableware producer, is acquiring Cristar TableTop, a Colombian tableware company owned by O-I, Glass. Proceeds from the $95 million deal will support O-I, Glass' $680 million growth plan, which includes expanding use of its Modular Advanced Glass Manufacturing Asset-- MAGMA -- technology.  Glass International (1/4)

Are Iowa's redemption centers getting shortchanged?

Iowa State House Rep. Anne Osmundson is hoping the legislature passes updates to the state's bottle bill that include an increase in redemption fees, so redemption centers can return to economic viability. "The initial Bottle Bill was enacted 40 years ago," said Osmundson. "How can [redemption centers] do business at the same level? It's not feasible."  The Standard (Waukon, Iowa) (12/29)

N.Y.'s bottle bill is stuck in the past

New York's bottle bill has not been changed since its origination in 1982 when the state accepted wine cooler containers but not wine bottles, writes Blair Horner, executive director of New York Public Interest Research Group. The 40-year-old five-cent redemption rate needs to double, and the bill needs to cover more beverage categories to reduce waste, boost recycling rates and create jobs, writes Horner.  Times Union (Albany, NY) (12/29)

Neb. county residents seek glass recycling

The most-requested service residents in Cass County, Neb., want is glass recycling, according to a survey conducted by nonprofit Keep Cass County Beautiful. The county may pursue grant funding to make glass recycling available, said Dana Stahl, executive director of KCCB.  The Plattsmouth Journal (Neb.) (12/27)

San Francisco rolls out mobile redemption program

San Francisco has unveiled BottleBank, a pilot program that aims to improve the city's container redemption rate via mobile collection. Residents can sign up online for barcoded 20-gallon bags, fill the bags with eligible containers, drop the bags off at mobile collection sites and receive their refunds via a mobile app.  KRON-TV (12/22)

Pa. replaces curbside recycling with drop-off center

Increasing contamination and costs have spurred Freemansburg, Pa., officials to end curbside recycling and open a recycling center where the public can take their recycling once a week, said Jonathan Itterly, police chief and part-time borough manager. Itterly is advocating for statewide recycling standards and a container redemption system to boost recycling rates. WFMZ-TV (Allentown, Pa.) (12/20)

Light-weight glass wine bottles will be trending in 2022

Lighter glass bottles will be among the top wine trends in 2022, according to research firm Wine Intelligence. Influential wine experts, top alcohol retailers, and international supply chain bottlenecks are some of the key forces driving the trend.  The Shout (Australia) (12/20)

Recycler exec: Colo. lawmakers should pass EPR bill

A bipartisan extended producer responsibility bill will be introduced in the Colorado legislature next month, and lawmakers should approve it to engage producers with creating a circular economy, said Marti Matsch, deputy director of Eco-Cycle. "We are doing it with glass; Momentum Recycling in Broomfield recycles our glass and it gets to go right back out through local bottling companies," said Matsch. Daily Camera (Boulder, Colo.) (12/19)

GPI supports pause on overseas earnings tax hike

The Glass Packaging Institute is one of multiple trade groups that have signed a letter asking senators to reject a push to increase taxes on overseas earnings for American multinational companies. The letter argued such a measure should not pass until other countries follow suit, or else it "would further tilt the playing field against American businesses."  Politico (12/17)

N.C. city revives glass collection

Lexington, N.C., has installed five drop-off bins across the city for glass collection after removing glass from its curbside program two years ago. The glass will be collected at no charge to the city by an end user.  The Dispatch (Lexington, N.C.) (12/17)

Cities look to cut waste despite recycling's profitability

Sparsely populated offices and schools during the pandemic reduced the flood of recyclables in the waste stream to a trickle, prompting US paper companies to invest in technology that is lowering costs and will allow them to absorb the expected uptick in material as previous work habits resume. Some New Hampshire cities that previously had been considering canceling expensive recycling programs have watched the materials become profitable again -- but still are encouraging residents to focus on reducing all kinds of waste.  New Hampshire Public Radio (12/16)

Glass recycling makes comeback in N.H. community

Glass recycling is returning to Laconia, N.H., after a three-year absence due to a steep decline in recycling costs of roughly $115 per ton since prices peaked in March of last year, said Wes Anderson, the city's public works director. The city's waste disposal company, Cassella Waste Systems, grinds the glass for use as a road base, according to Anderson.  The Laconia Daily Sun (N.H.) (12/15)

Mich. city installs 2 glass collection bins

Marquette, Mich., is ending curbside glass pickup due to increasing contamination, said Karen Kovacs, city manager. The city has installed a drop-off bin for glass recycling at two locations, as Marquette County uses processed glass for road sanding, landscaping and other applications, said Brad Austin, operations director for the Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority.  (WLUC-TV) (Negaunee, Mich.) (12/15)

Baralan rolls out skincare container pumps

Cosmetics and beauty container producer Baralan has released two pump designs for skin care packaging. Both designs feature an over-pump that is designed to seamlessly align with the body pump.  Cosmetics Business (12/15)

Dairies boost sustainability with reusable glass bottles

Refillable glass milk containers that are reused a minimum of five times represent a more sustainable option than plastic HDPE bottles, according to a study by the Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan. The California-based Straus Family Creamery annually diverts 500,000 pounds of plastic from landfills by using reusable glass bottles, according to a spokesperson.  Civil Eats (12/14)

Why communities should switch to dual-stream recycling

Dual-stream recycling programs are more economically viable than single-stream programs because the former generates the clean recycled content that end users want, said Neil Seldman, Waste to Wealth Initiative director for the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. "The technology is there, and the markets are demanding clean materials," added Seldman. Waste Dive (12/15)

Single-serve glass wine bottles offer sustainability, portion control

Companies that have overcome challenges unique to single-serve glass packaging for wine have benefited from an exploding market. The individual packages deliver on two consumer demands: sustainability and portion control.  Wine Enthusiast Magazine (12/13)

British Columbia city restarts glass collection

The city of Richmond in British Columbia, Canada, has resumed curbside glass collection. The service was suspended last month after a storm flooded the city's recycling facility.  Richmond News (British Columbia) (12/12)

Ga. county expands glass collection after initial success

Gwinnett County, Ga., has installed a second glass drop-off bin as part of a pilot program that has collected 4.2 tons of glass since October. The material is taken to Strategic Materials for recycling.  Gwinnett Daily Post (Lawrenceville, Ga.) (12/11)

Recycling industry disputes viral claim

Representatives from The Recycling Partnership and other Virginia-based recycling organizations say a viral tweet claiming 79% of recycling ends up in landfills is false. The key is keeping contaminants out of recycling bins, said Rob Taylor, The Recycling Partnership's director of community grants and development, adding roughly 90% of items that belong in the bins are recycled. WUSA-TV (Washington, D.C.) (12/9)

Mission-minded La. glass recycling business goes viral

The only glass recycling service in New Orleans, La., Glass Half Full, has generated a strong following on TikTok where co-founder Franziska Trautmann posts about the company's mission to keep glass out of landfills. Glass Half Full is also participating in research regarding whether crushed glass can be used to restore eroding coastlines.  The Independent (London) (12/8)

Why N.Y. should update bottle bill

New York lawmakers should approve the "Bigger, Better Bottle Bill" that proposes adding beverage categories such as bottled teas and sports drinks to the state's deposit system and raising the deposit fee to 10 cents, writes John Szalasny in a letter to the editor of The Daily News. He cites Oregon's success with raising the return rate by 27 points in three years to 89% after increasing container deposits in 2017. The Daily News (Batavia, NY) (12/8)

Mich. city revives glass recycling services

Curbside glass collection is returning to Ypsilanti, Mich., next month after a two-year hiatus. The city is partnering with Recycle Ann Arbor to process the glass at the nonprofit's recently renovated materials recovery facility.  MLive (Michigan) (12/8)

Recycle Ann Arbor unveils updated MRF

A materials recovery facility in Ann Arbor, Mich., renovated by nonprofit Recycle Ann Arbor has reopened. "The new MRF will be a model for anchoring effective recycling programs and systems, in addition to adding much needed recycling capacity for southeast Michigan," said Recycle Ann Arbor CEO Bryan Ukena in a statement.  Resource Recycling (12/7)

GPI sponsors 2nd Craft Spirits Packaging Awards

The Craft Spirits Packaging Awards, sponsored by the Glass Packaging Institute, has recognized winners in several spirits categories, including rum, brandy, gin and ready-to-drink. A baseball bat design from Rockwood Glass for a Hall of Fame Spirits vodka bottle won Best in Show.  Crafts Spirits Magazine (12/7)

Survey: Consumers seek glass packaging for alcohol

Consumers will welcome light-weight innovations in glass packaging, such as AB InBev's new lighter beer bottle -- with more than 60% of participants in a GlobalData survey preferring plastic-free packaging -- according to Hannah Cleland, GlobalData consumer analyst. "Glass was the most preferred material for alcoholic drinks, at 53%, as it tends to signify a premium/quality product," said Cleland.  Consumer Goods Technology News (12/6)

Minn. county set to significantly boost glass recycling

Glass recycling will increase from 70 to 500 tons annually in Morrison County, Minn., thanks to a county supervisor vote that approved a $100,000 expansion of its glass recycling program. The program is coordinated by Employment Enterprises Inc., which provides employment opportunities for workers with disabilities.  Hometown Source (Coon Rapids, Minn.) (12/6)

Covia appoints new CEO

Andrew Eich, president of Covia Corp., will also step into the CEO role beginning Jan. 1. Covia supplies silica sand and other mineral-based resources to the glass, ceramics, oil and gas industries.  Crain's Cleveland Business (12/6)

Ripple Glass founder tackles waste one bottle at a time

Ripple Glass of Kansas City, Mo., which collects glass via a network of purple drop-off bins, started as an in-house program at a local brewery aiming to become a zero-waste facility. "If you take a glass bottle, it's 100% recyclable; one bottle makes one new bottle or a new product," said John McDonald, Ripple Glass and Boulevard Brewing Co. founder. The Kansas City Star (Mo.) (12/6)

O-I, Glass unveils design award winner

The 2021 O-I: Expressions design award was given to the UK designer Rebecca Edwards for creating a spirits brand and glass bottle design inspired by a Norse legend of a serpent that circles the world. "The judges were entranced by the creativity of Rebecca's design, in which the 360° depiction of the serpent captured the essence of the circular economy, in which glass plays such a vital role," said Melianthe Leeman, global category director of wine and spirits for O-I, Glass.  Glass International (12/4)

Glass recycling programs pay off in Va.

Arlington County, Va., created five glass collection sites last year, which collected more than 1,429 tons of glass, according to a Virginia Department of Environmental Quality report. The Recycle Right Alexandria campaign has decreased glass contamination in the city and diverted more than 5 million pounds of glass from landfills since 2019, the report also stated.  Augusta Free Press (Va.) (12/3)

Ardagh to address solutions to sustainability

A paper from Ardagh Glass Packaging-Europe regarding how the glass container industry can decrease its carbon emissions will be presented at the GlassTrend webinar next week. The research addresses steps the industry can take beyond supporting new technologies, such as increasing cullet use, finding alternate raw materials and capturing heat waste.  Glass International (12/3)
How glass meets everyday sustainability needs
Changes people can make in their everyday lives to boost sustainability include replacing easily degraded plastic storage containers or even single-use packaging with long-lasting glass containers, writes Amy McCarthy. Refillable glass bottles are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic water bottles, McCarthy adds. Yardbarker (12/3)

Schott eyes continued growth in North America

Schott invested millions in its US facilities in 2021, and more investments are planned to "accelerate our strategy of profitable growth," said Heinz Kaiser, Schott board member. Projects this year included boosting production at a Pennsylvania vial plant to meet demand related to the COVID-19 vaccine.  Glass International (12/3)

Lumson debuts Kube glass bottle beauty set

Lumson Cosmetic Packaging has released the Kube luxury line for skin care and cosmetics products. The line features two 30-ml cube-shaped glass containers featuring rounded edges. Packaging Strategies (12/2)

Aldi tests bottle redemption machine in Scotland

International grocery chain Aldi is testing its first bottle redemption program in West Lothian, Scotland before launching the program nationwide in July. Aldi has placed a reverse vending machine outside the location, and the machine dispenses Aldi credit in return for glass and plastic container deposits.  Packaging Gateway (U.K.) (11/30)

Ardagh to expand into Africa with $635M Consol buy

Ardagh is acquiring South Africa's largest glass packaging producer, Consol Holdings, for approximately $635 million. "We are very pleased to expand our European and North America presence in glass packaging into Africa with the acquisition of Consol, a high-quality business," said Paul Coulson, Ardagh chairman.  BeverageDaily (France) (11/29)

Mass. should expand bottle bill to cut waste

Massachusetts' bottle bill needs to include more beverage categories to keep millions of containers out of landfills each year, write Sarah Becker, a zero waste policy associate with MASSPIRG, and Tucker Smith, president of Sustainable Milton. The state also needs to double the deposit rate to 10 cents, they contend, citing Oregon's updated legislation, which increased its redemption rate by 22 points to 86% after passing it four years ago.  The Patriot Ledger (Quincy, Mass.) (11/29)

GPI: Demand tightens glass supply chain capabilities

Limitations on distribution and international transportation capacity and greater demand are the primary reasons the spirits container supply chain is strained, said Glass Packaging Institute president Scott DeFife. Glass bottle production in the US has actually grown this year, and imports of 750-milliliter bottles have increased 14%, DeFife added.  Financial Times (11/27)

Saverglass plant in France to recycle rainwater

Saverglass will supply 60% of the water needed by one of its French facilities with a new rainwater collection system. Rainwater collected from the plant's roof will drain into an adjacent basin for reuse. Glass International (11/26)

Wine consumers view glass bottles as most sustainable

Wine drinkers associate glass with sustainability more than bag-in-box packaging, according to Wine Intelligence research. An industry push toward bag-in-box and other lighter packaging would hurt wine's sustainable image, Wine Intelligence CEO Lulie Halstead says.  The Drinks Business (U.K.) (11/26)

Va. county may install another purple glass recycling bin

Officials in Loudoun County, Va., are considering adding a location to the county's glass drop-off bin network. The new purple bin would be located in the city of Ashburn.  Loudoun Now (Leesburg, Va.) (11/26)

Europe recycles record amount of glass during 2019

Europe achieved a record glass recycling rate of 78% in 2019, according to the Close the Glass Loop consortium of glass industry stakeholders. The group wants Europe to recycle and reuse 90% of its glass by 2030. Glass International (11/25)

How pandemic plays a role in glass container industry

Pandemic-related shifts in alcohol consumption have contributed to supply chain pressures for wine and spirits producers that rely on overseas shipments, according to Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. "Because of the switch from on-premise dining to consumption at home," said DeFife.  Marketplace (11/25)

Sisters develop local glass recycling program in Va.

High school students Caroline and Corinne Sieber of Centreville, Va., have collected more than 25,000 bottles since starting their residential glass recycling service in March 2020. The sisters have grown their neighborhood volunteer service into the NOVA Glass Recycling Network that covers six neighborhoods and may expand the program countywide.  Fairfax County Times (Reston, Va.) (11/24)

GPI: US glass supply remains strong

US businesses that rely on imported specialty glass containers are facing the same supply chain-related delays as other sectors, but the domestic glass supply is strong, said Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. "If you're willing to use a relatively generic bottle that is in use, there's a greater variety of places you can source that from," DeFife added.  NBC News (11/23)

Industry experts: It's time to update Mass. bottle bill

Massachusetts lawmakers should pass an updated version of the state's bottle bill, which aims to double the deposit rate to ten cents and include other beverage categories, write Stephanie Blumenthal, founder of Sheffield Saves; Jenny Hansell, president of Berkshire Natural Resources Council; and Sarah Becker, zero-waste policy advocate for MASSPIRG. "With this bigger, better bottle bill, we could more effectively clean up our roadsides, reduce plastic in our rivers and waterways and stop burying or burning our beverage containers in landfills and incinerators," they write.  The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Mass.) (11/23)

Why Va. should consider a bottle bill

Virginia needs a beverage container deposit system to boost recycling rates, reduce litter, create jobs and improve the quality of its post-recycled content, according to Rick Galliher, president of the Virginia Bottle Bill Organization. "The returned glass and plastic material collected in bottle-bill states is so clean that it can be made into new bottles, which is truly recycling," he writes in a letter to the editor for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.   Richmond Times-Dispatch (Va.) (11/23)

Verescence to debut glass with PCR content in the US

French glass producer Verescence, which serves the luxury beauty industry, has developed a tinted glass option containing 20% post-consumer-recycled content currently manufactured in France and Spain. The Verre Infini 20 formulation will be available in the US early next year and in South Korea the following year.  Glass International (11/22)

Ardagh brews up Belgian bottle for specialty beer brand

Ardagh Glass Packaging has produced a 375-milliliter Belgian glass beer bottle featuring a cork enclosure for Troegs Independent Brewing. The bottle was made for the brewer's specialty holiday beer and represents Ardagh's role in "helping shape a beer's identity and creating an extra dimension for creativity and branding," said John Shaddox, chief commercial officer for Ardagh.  Packaging Strategies (11/22)

Calif. policy options push toward circular economy

Senate Bill 54 failed to pass in California but should be revisited, as it requires producers to use only the materials that recycling centers actually process, such as glass and aluminum, said Martin Bourque, executive director of the Ecology Center. A petition to put the measure up for a statewide vote in 2022 has received nearly one million signatures.  Sierra Club (11/22)

Ripple Glass on how to boost recycled content supply

Ripple Glass of Kansas City, Mo., is supplying much-needed recycled content to a local brewery and Owens Corning plant, said Lydia Gibson, Ripple's director of corporate development. Ripple's drop-off bin network meets consumers where they are, such as grocers or liquor stores, but a state bottle bill would help local businesses meet their growing recycled glass needs, said Gibson.  WDAF-TV (Kansas City, Mo.) (11/20)

Craft brewers face aluminum can order minimum

Ball Corp. is responding to accelerating demand for aluminum cans by raising its order minimum by five times to 1.02 million cans per SKU or the equivalent of five semi-truck loads. The move is expected to hurt craft beer brewers with Denver Beer Co. co-founder Patrick Crawford stating their expenses will triple, likely forcing its six-pack prices to increase 30%.  Westword (Denver) (11/18)

Corning plans to expand new N.C. vial plant

Corning, which is known for its cookware and protective Gorilla Glass screens for iPhones, now has the capacity to produce 500 million glass vials for pharmaceuticals at its new facility in Durham, N.C., which CEO Wendell Weeks says the firm plans to expand into "one of the largest pharmaceutical packaging manufacturing plants in the world." Denis Johnson, vice president and general manager of Catalent's site in Bloomington, Ind., says Corning's specially engineered Velocity Vials have enabled "a double-digit improvement" in throughput rates. CNBC (11/18)

O-I, Glass to build on Glass4Good's success

O-I, Glass is expanding its Glass4Good program to other communities where the company's plants are located after a successful pilot in Danville, Va. The program collects glass from the community for use at plants, and the O-I, Glass Charities Foundation contributes the market price of the collected glass to local nonprofits.  Glass International (11/17)

Ardagh's new Absolut bottle made with 80% recycled glass

Ardagh has rolled out a glass bottle design containing 80% recycled glass, representing the most recycled content used in an Ardagh bottle to date. The limited-edition sapphire-colored "Absolut Voices" bottle features a 360-degree design of embossed sound waves "to give it a lifelike quality and standout impact," said Maria Persson, new product development project manager at Ardagh.  Glass International (11/16)

Topo Chico Hard Seltzer flavor to launch in glass bottles

Coca-Cola's Topo Chico is adding the brand's classic glass bottles to its Hard Seltzer lineup for the first time later this month in six states and the Chicago area. The brand is making its Strawberry Guava flavor available in glass bottles, as well as slim aluminum cans.  Thrillist (11/15)

Can producers back nationwide deposit system

The Can Manufacturers Institute is supporting a call by the Glass Packaging Institute and other organizations for a "well-designed" nationwide container deposit system. This system would appoint a single private stewardship to manage it, make container redemption easily accessible, cover all container types and invest unredeemed deposits into recycling center upgrades.  Waste Dive (11/15)

EPA aims for 50% recycling rate by 2030

The final draft of the Environmental Protection Agency's "National Recycling Strategy" released this week has set a goal of achieving a 50% nationwide recycling rate by 2030. The plan's objectives include developing increased markets for recycled goods, improved collection and processing of recyclables and stronger federal coordination of recycling efforts. The Hill (11/15)

Calif. adds reusable glass bottles to bottle bill

Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed six bills into law that address recycling and waste reduction, including an expansion of the state's bottle bill to include reusable glass containers. The package signed by Newsom also includes two Truth-in-Labeling laws that aim to improve the likelihood of items being composted or recycled.  The National Law Review (11/15)

How EPR laws benefit consumers, environment

Maine's recently passed extended producer responsibility law should result in more products featuring easily recyclable packaging, said Sarah Nichols, director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine's Sustainable Maine program. Other parts of the world with these laws in place experience higher recycling rates, added Nichols.  PBS (11/14)

La.'s only glass recycler nears funding goal

Glass Half Full in New Orleans has raised nearly $84,000 of the $100,000 it needs to upgrade glass recycling equipment and expand recycling services to meet growing demand. Glass Half Full operates the state's only glass recycling center and has processed more than one million pounds of glass since opening in the fall of 2020.  The New Orleans Advocate (11/13)

"Don't Trash Glass" Chicago pilot may become permanent

The Glass Recycling Foundation is working to make its "Don't Trash Glass" program that debuted in Chicago earlier this year permanent, said Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute and GRF. The foundation has partnered with Strategic Materials, O-I, Glass and other organizations to make the program possible.  The Mike Nowak Show (11/13)
 

"Bigger Better Bottle" bill proposed in N.Y.

Members of three New York advocacy groups, including the Bottle Bill 40 Coalition, have drafted and submitted the "Bigger Better Bottle" bill to Gov. Kathy Hochul's office. The proposed bill wants to double the state's container deposit rate to 10 cents and accept more container types, such as glass wine and spirits bottles.  WICZ-TV (Binghamton, N.Y.) (11/11)

Glass industry makes headway with sustainability

Glass container producers are improving the sustainability of the already circular packaging material by developing carbon-capture systems and greener furnaces that are powered by hydrogen and electricity, according to Peter Kamicha Kamau, Marek Stec and Li Tu, executives at the World Bank's International Finance Corporation. The IFC is supporting the glass industry with funding for these projects, as well as others that aim to increase the use of recycled glass.  GreenBiz (11/10)

New coating may pave way for lighter glass bottles

Ardagh is partnering with glass industry consultant Exxergy and French software firm Dassault Systemes to conduct a digital twin trial of an innovative coating that is said to increase the strength of lighter-weight glass bottles. The recyclable coating will be tested on real bottles next summer if the digital trial is a success.  Packaging Gateway (11/10)

UK spirits company recognizes Ardagh

UK spirits producer Edrington has named Ardagh Glass Packaging its Supplier of the Year due to Ardagh's 100% quality record. Edrington has also given Ardagh a Gold Award for its work in 2020.  Glass International (11/9)

Infrastructure bill retains recycling funding

The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill passed by the House of Representatives and headed to President Joe Biden's desk has preserved the full text of the RECYCLE Act. The legislation includes $275 million for keeping plastics out of waterways and $75 million for recycling education.  Waste Dive (11/8)

Brewers seek sustainable solutions from blockchain

Beer brewers in Europe are using blockchain technology to reduce the industry's environmental footprint, said Erik Novaes, AB InBev's vice president of procurement and sustainability. Novaes explained the technology would collect valuable insights from across the industry's value chain regarding how to make beer production more sustainable.  EurActiv (11/8)

Glass Futures reveals pathway to lower CO2 output

Glass Futures has unveiled its plans to build a nearly $73 million research and development center in the UK that is dedicated to decarbonizing the glass industry. "Ranging from new raw materials and novel glass compositions, to alternative fuel sources and furnace designs, to waste heat recovery and carbon capture, Glass Futures will support our aim to become net Zero Carbon by 2040 -- a full decade ahead of the rest of the country," said David Baines, Liverpool city councilor. Glass International (11/8)

O-I, Glass supports Va. county recycling event

A drive-thru Litter and Recycling Expo hosted by James City County, Va., on Nov. 20 will feature the county's purple glass collection bins sponsored by O-I, Glass. The glass will be taken to the O-I, Glass plant in Toano, Va. Williamsburg Yorktown Daily (Williamsburg, Va.) (11/7)

Busting the "chasing arrows" and other recycling myths

Recycling myths that need to be dispelled include the misconception that a product featuring the "chasing arrows" symbol is automatically recyclable and the idea that the US recycling system has never recovered from China's decision to stop accepting our recycling, writes Ryan Call, outreach coordinator for Colorado-based nonprofit Eco-Cycle. "Recycling programs across the nation have mostly survived and are now building and strengthening domestic recycling markets," Call adds.  Bloomfield Enterprise (Colo.) (11/7)

2022's International Year of Glass seeks funding

The International Year of Glass 2022 organization is accepting donations on its website to fund preparations for the event's Opening Ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland in February. "We are now focusing our campaign on companies, associations and institutions able to support IYOG with larger gifts," according to an IYOG statement. Glass International (11/5)

Focus on access needed to improve recycling

Circularity will not be achieved with the current recycling system, as more solutions are needed regarding access for post-consumer material, writes Ryan Smith, Recyclops CEO and founder. "That might mean access to the right partners or it might mean access to the right collection systems," writes Smith.  Waste Dive (11/5)
 

Yogurt brand exec: Consumers appreciate glass packaging

Nounos Creamery Greek yogurt company co-founder John Belesis said retailers were hesitant at first about the brand's glass packaging, but consumers welcome the containers for their sustainability and reuse capabilities. "The good thing about glass is that it's recyclable, and 70% of our glass containers are made from recycled glass," said Belesis.  FoodNavigator (11/4)

Recycling systems should prioritize circularity of glass

Glass could emerge as "the star of a net-zero carbon economy" due to its ability to be endlessly recycled and the industry's efforts to decarbonize, according to this Nature editorial. The US needs to create more glass collection programs and follow the Glass Packaging Institute's lead in targeting a 50% glass recycling rate by 2030. Nature (11/3)

Anchor CEO on building communities one bottle at a time

Glass Packaging Institute board member Nipesh Shah has grown Anchor Glass Container Corp. to a more than $1 billion company since becoming CEO four years ago. "[W]e have a very simple vision: To create positive societal impact by providing food, clothing, shelter and education for the communities in which we operate using glass bottles as a currency," said Shah. Tampa Bay Business & Wealth (St. Petersburg, Fla.) (11/2021)

GRF welcomes board member, new treasurer

The Glass Recycling Foundation has appointed Brian Kristofic, Ardagh Glass Packaging North America's director of sustainability, to its board. John Eichbauer, board member and Knauf Insulation North America's vice president of operations, will serve as the board's treasurer.  American Recycler (11/2021)

EU committee supports greener glass industry

The European Economic and Social Committee has adopted the "Glass in Europe at a Crossroads" report that promotes energy efficiency in the glass industry. The report recommends the European Union assist the glass industry with transitioning to environmentally friendly technologies and practices, such as the Close the Glass Loop program.  Glass International  (11/1) 

Berlin Packaging to close seventh EMEA deal in 2021

Berlin Packaging France is acquiring O-I, Glass France's Le Parfait glass jars and lids business. The acquisition marks Berlin Packaging's seventh in the Europe, Middle East and Africa market this year.  Packaging Gateway (U.K.) (10/30)

UK vote brings Encirc closer to hydrogen-fueled furnace

UK glass container producer Encirc will pursue using a hydrogen-powered furnace now that the UK government has approved funding for a hydrogen fuel pipeline to northwest England. The project is part of the region's and Encirc's plans to decarbonize.  Glass International  (10/29) 

Vitro to construct $70M furnace

Vitro is planning to build a $70 million glass container furnace as its plant in Toluca, Mexico, starting this year. The furnace is expected to begin operating in 2023. Glass International  (10/27) 

O-I, Glass to divert glass from landfills in Columbia

O-I, Glass is working with Columbia-based recycling firm Ekored to create a recycling hub in Barranquilla, Colombia. The hub will give O-I, Glass access to glass cullet that would otherwise end up in landfills. Glass International  (10/27) 
 

Bucher Emhart's sales up 76%

Orders for Swiss-based Bucher Emhart Glass grew more than 76% during the first nine months of this year compared to the same period in 2020. The company also reported specifically orders for glass-forming machinery experienced significant growth. Glass International  (10/27) 

Carriers skip Port of Seattle due to congestion concerns

Maersk, MSC and Zim's TP9/Eagle/ZP9 line will bypass the Port of Seattle this week because of longer wait times caused by congestion. The carriers said the move will only be temporary.  The Loadstar Blog (U.K.) (10/27)

O-I, Glass unveils $34M furnace at Spanish plant

O-I, Glass has fired a roughly $34.8 million furnace recently installed in its Seville, Spain plant. The furnace project was focused on energy efficiency and was accompanied by the renovation of two production lines, which increased production capacity by 10%. Glass International  (10/26) 

Skin care brand debuts serum in refillable glass bottle

Skin care brand Rodan + Fields has rolled out a facial serum in refillable glass bottle packaging made from 90% recycled content. The bottle is expected to reduce the brand's packaging by 26,600 pounds annually, making it the brand's most sustainable product launch ever.  Beauty Packaging (10/25) 

Sorg Group completes furnace build for Vidrio Formas

Germany's Sorg Group has built a furnace, cullet return system and batch plant for a Vidrio Formas glass container facility in Toluca, Mexico. The regenerative end-fired furnace is capable of producing a variety of container glass colors.  Glass International  (10/24) 

Regional group requests input on recycled-glass content proposal

In an effort to boost curbside glass recycling rates, Vermont-based Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) has drafted a model bill that would require brands to have a minimum level of recycled content in glass container and fiberglass production and is seeking public comments on the draft. Despite input from several glass industry stakeholders who suggested that recycled content requirements will not fix poor curbside glass quality issues, NERC is pressing forward with the provision backed by waste haulers. Recycling Today  (10/24)

DeFife: US glass supply ready to meet demand

Although supply chain bottlenecks are prompting concerns about an adequate supply of imported wines and champagnes for the holidays, the domestic wine supply is in good hands with the US glass industry, according to Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. "There is no shortage of glass in North America," said DeFife. "We have all the raw materials we need."  The Wall Street Journal (10/22)

Plastic's carbon footprint on track to exceed coal's

Carbon emissions from coal-powered plants will be surpassed by the plastic industry by 2030, according to a report from Beyond Plastics and Material Research. "The scale of the plastics industry's greenhouse gas emissions is staggering, but it's equally concerning that few people in government or in the business community are even talking about it," said Judith Enck, Beyond Plastics president and a former Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator.  Gizmodo (10/21)

Sorg, Heinz-Glas keep sustainability front and center

The working relationship between Sorg Group and Heinz-Glas has spanned more than 50 years and includes Heinz-Glas' early adoption of Sorg's revolutionary all-electric furnace technology. The two companies are now partnering on an electric furnace powered by renewable energy. Glass Online  (10/20) 

Expand Mass. bottle bill to reduce waste

Massachusetts residents would see far fewer overflowing trash bins and an improved recycling system if a proposed expansion of the state's bottle bill is passed, according to these letters to the editor. The proposed changes would double the deposit rate and allow for the inclusion of more container types, such as noncarbonated beverages and mini liquor bottles.  The Boston Globe (10/18)

Arglass lauded as regional economic engine

Government leaders in Valdosta, Ga., and surrounding Lowndes County recognized regional manufacturers last week, including glass container producer Arglass, for their contributions to the region's economy. Arglass completed the construction of a $123 million facility in Valdosta last year and continues to expand its highly skilled workforce. The Valdosta Daily Times (Ga.) (10/18)

Borgonovo captures furnace fumes to power plant

Italian glass packaging producer Vetreria di Borgonovo has installed an Organic Rankine Cycle system from Zuccato Energia, which captures furnace fumes to heat water and provide clean electricity for the rest of the plant. "ORC technology has proved to be excellent in heat recovery from melting furnaces with high flexibility and minimal maintenance requirements," said Alessandro Zuccato, CEO of Zuccato Energia.  Glass International (10/18)

European Glass Federation's plans for carbon neutrality

Europe's glass packaging industry is trying to significantly reduce its carbon footprint with the Furnace of the Future project, which aims to fire furnaces with renewable energy sources such as hydrogen and biomass, writes Adeline Farrelly, secretary-general for the European Container Glass Federation. The industry will need more recycled glass to eliminate its use of virgin glass and achieve carbon-neutral status, writes Farrelly.  EurActiv (10/18)

Texas startup gives glass waste new life as drinkware

Neutrall is an Austin, Texas-based startup that is upcycling glass container waste from bars and restaurants into drinking glasses. "It's a great story, that with each purchase you are literally keeping items from the landfill, creating jobs and furthering land restoration," said co-founder Sarah Scott Mitchell.  Austin American-Statesman (Texas) (10/18)

Colo. community to revive glass collection

The Greeley, Colo., city council has approved a plan to enter a public-private partnership to boost glass recycling. The city will work with O-I, Glass, a local brewing company and a local salvage business to establish a new drop-off bin network for glass collection.  The Tribune (Greeley, Col.) (10/15)

Ga. county pilots glass container drop-off program

Waste and recycling hauler Waste Pro USA is returning glass recycling to Gwinnett County, Ga., via a pilot program. Waste Pro has installed a drop-off bin for glass containers in the city of Norcross.  The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (10/15) 

TricorBraun to purchase Vetroelite

US-based TricorBraun will expand its footprint in Europe after acquiring premium glass container producer Vetroelite from a private equity firm, said Court Carruthers, TricorBraun CEO. Vetroelite has clients in 90 countries and produces glass packaging for the cosmetic, personal care, fragrance and food and beverage industries. Packaging Gateway (U.K.) (10/13) 

GPI: Glass import backlogs do not equal US glass "shortage"

US glass container producers are operating at full capacity and there is no shortage of raw materials to meet demand, but businesses relying on the 20% to 30% of the US glass bottle supply that is imported are struggling due to supply chain bottlenecks, according to Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. "Demand is high, logistics are slightly out of whack, there's import congestion ... so put those things together and there's going to be some wrinkles." National Public Radio  (10/12)

O-I, Glass to build 2 plants in Brazil

O-I, Glass' recently unveiled $680 million plan to ramp up global manufacturing includes the construction of two plants in Brazil. The roughly $178.8 million project will be completed by 2023's third quarter, said Hugo Ladeira, O-I, Glass South America president.  Glass International (10/12)

Aero Aggregates to build plant in Calif.

Aero Aggregates of North America is planning to open its first West Coast plant next year in Modesto, Calif. Aero Aggregates processes recycled glass into a foam aggregate used in construction and agriculture. Resource Recycling (10/12)

Ardagh unveils new Absolut bottle design

Ardagh has produced the first major redesign of Absolut's Vodka bottle in 42 years. The new bottle features the words "Country of Sweden" embossed on the glass, a new graphic depiction of the original distillery and other changes. Glass International (10/11)

Stevanato Group to build plant in Ind.

Stevanato Group is set to begin construction of a $145 million plant in Fishers, Ind., with production expected to start in 2023. The new facility will allow the pharmaceutical glass manufacturer to better serve the North American market with "supply chain security, just in time delivery and reliable sourcing in terms of surge capacity," said CEO Franco Moro. Glass International (10/11)

Fla. city residents have options with recycling suspended

Residents of Jacksonville, Fla., are urged by Southeast Recycling Development Council outreach director Jen Dabbs to take recycling to one of 14 drop-off sites now that curbside pickup services have halted due to a driver shortage. People should also consider contacting private haulers such as Utah-based Recyclops to bring their subscription-based service to Jacksonville, Dabbs added. The Florida Times Union (Jacksonville) (10/11)

Steklarna Hrastnik unveils carbon-free bottle

Slovenia-based glass producer Steklarna Hrastnik has developed a carbon-free bottle by using solar cells as the energy source for a hydrogen-powered furnace and recycled glass as cullet. "Energy efficiency in glass melting has reached its theoretical limitations in last decades, thus this technological improvement was very much needed," said CEO Peter Cas. Glass International (10/8)

SMI exec questions decision to drop glass recycling

Curt Bucey, Strategic Materials executive vice president, took issue with a decision by St. Augustine, Fla., officials to stop accepting glass recycling over a perceived lack of end markets for recycled glass: "All the glass that ends up in our plant is being recycled, it's being turned back into another beer bottle or into fiberglass insulation, and our customers are asking for much more." WTLV-TV/WJXX-TV (Jacksonville, Fla.) (10/8)
Calif. to issue refunds on refillable glass bottles
California's new law that allows glass beverage containers to be reused will also grant refunds to processors that wash the containers for refilling. AB 962 was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and includes refillable glass containers in the state's bottle bill as long as the bottles are washed at state-certified facilities. California Globe (10/7)

Why Norway's container return system leads the way

Beverage container redemption programs that offer a high number of automated collection points vastly outperform traditional collection systems, according to a white paper by sorting technology firm Tomra. Norway, which ranks highest for the amount of recycling turned in per consumer, has one drop-off center per 355 consumers, according to the report.  Recycling International (Netherlands) (10/7) 

Winners of GPI's Clear Choice Awards revealed

The Glass Packaging Institute has unveiled the eight category winners of the 2021 Clear Choice Awards: the Sustainability category winner is a certified carbon neutral glass bottle from O-I, Glass for Fat Tire Amber Ale while Ball Flute Jars from Ardagh won top honors for the Food category, Saverglass won the Spirits category with its Maestro Dobel Tequila bottle design and Anchor Glass earned the top prize in the Innovation category for its Horse Soldier Bourbon Whiskey. "The past two years have been tough on every aspect of our lives, and I wanted to especially applaud the glass container manufacturing industry for continuing to provide premium and sustainable glass products to consumers throughout the pandemic," said GPI president Scott DeFife.  Glass International (10/5) 

O-I, Glass recycling drive in Va. off to a good start

O-I Glass' Glass4Good recycling pilot program has collected more than 96,000 pounds of glass over six weeks in Danville, Va. The program has rolled out in cities where O-I, Glass plants are located to meet the company's raw material needs and support local charities with cash donations from the O-I Charities Foundation. Star-Tribune (Chatham, Va.) (10/5)

Calif. Gov. signs "chasing arrows" bill into law

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has authorized a bill that restricts plastic manufacturers from featuring the "chasing arrows" recycling symbol on products unless they can prove the packaging is regularly recycled. The Los Angeles Times Editorial Board urged Newsom to sign the legislation, writing that "[t]he main objective of the bill is to change behavior among package makers and nudge them toward using materials that have a high recycling rate, such as glass, paper or PET or HDPE plastic." The Associated Press (10/5)

Mass. bill aims to update bottle bill

A bill proposed in Massachusetts wants to expand the state's container redemption program to include water, sports drink, iced tea, juice and nip liquor bottles. The Better Bottle Bill also aims to double the container deposit rate to 10 cents. Recycling Today (10/4)

O-I, Glass to unleash MAGMA to boost production

O-I, Glass will increase production capacity by up to 700,000 tons worldwide with roughly $680 million in plant upgrades based on its Modular Advanced Glass Manufacturing Asset technology. "This new capability will enable the company to grow in existing markets and enter new markets with greater flexibility," said CEO Andres Lopez.  FoodBev (9/30)

New law lets wineries in Calif. fill containers off-site

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 239, allowing winery employees to fill customer wine containers in off-site tasting rooms. The bill also allows type 02 license holders to do the same at duplicate license locations. North Bay Business Journal (Santa Rosa, Calif.) (9/30)

Glass to be used for coastal preservation in La.

Tulane University engineers have secured a $700,000 National Science Foundation grant to work with glass recycling center Glass Half Full on a project to divert waste glass from landfills by turning it into glass sand products. The initial phase of the project will focus on curtailing coastal land erosion and loss in the greater New Orleans area and nearby parishes, said lead researcher Julie Albert.  Tulane University (9/30)

Sorg overcomes challenges to rebuild Saudi furnace

Germany-based Sorg completed a furnace rebuild for Saudi-based fiberglass producer AFICO on time, despite having to coordinate teams remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a Sorg spokesperson. "We really appreciate the effort and professionalism by which Sorg Group team has completed the project successfully, safely and on time," said an AFICO spokesperson. Glass International (9/28)

GRC awards 2 MRFs with certifications

The Glass Recycling Coalition has awarded its gold material recovery facility certification to the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority in Bellefonte, Pa., and a bronze certification to Mazza Recycling Services in Tinton Falls, N.J. The coalition has awarded 13 certifications since the program was founded two years ago. Recycling Today (9/28)

Switch to glass packaging earns Irish company honors

Ireland's Origin Green sustainability program has awarded Ballymaloe Foods a gold membership for transitioning from plastic packaging to glass containers last year, reducing its waste by 20%. The pivot to glass cut the company's plastic use by more than 1.4 tons.  CorkBeo (Cork, Ireland) (9/27) 

Perfume industry scrambling for glass containers in France

The fragrance industry is struggling to meet demand with sales rebounding this year to record levels in the US. Backlogs in French glass fragrance bottle production is forcing Interparfums to manage production on a "just in time" basis for the first time ever, said CEO Philippe Benacin.  Europe 1 (France) (9/27)

TerraCycle's reusable container Loop program grows

TerraCycle's Loop program, which collects and processes reusable CPG packaging and returns them to manufacturers, is expanding to 25 Fred Meyer supermarkets in Portland, Ore., to offer customers access to the Loop products packaged in glass and aluminum containers and drop-off services for the empty packaging. [I]t's about making participation as effortless as chucking [trash] in the garbage," said Tom Szaky, TerraCycle's founder. AdWeek (9/27)
 

Calif. glass bottle refill bill awaits governor's OK

The California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act -- which is supported by the Glass Packaging Institute -- has passed the state Legislature and gone to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his signature. The bill permits the return, sanitizing and reuse of glass beverage containers and has beverage distributors use container fees to help fund the refill program.  Restaurant Hospitality Online (9/27)

Glass container demand keeps soda ash producers busy

The soda ash industry is ramping up production, in part, to keep pace with growing global demand for glass containers, said Zarir Langrana, executive director and president, global chemicals, Tata Chemicals. "Also, as the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors revive and open from their current constrained level the demand for container glass will increase on the back of increased demand for beverages and spirits," added Langrana.  The Hindu Buiness Line (India) (9/27) 

Ripple Glass to offer Kan. community curbside collection

Curbside glass collection is coming to Roeland Park, Kan., thanks to a Ripple Glass pilot program. If successful, the program may expand to other parts of the Kansas City metro area, according to a company statement. WDAF-TV (Kansas City, Mo.) (9/27)

S.C. county begins glass recycling program

Recycling centers in Bamberg County, S.C., have started accepting glass containers. Glass WRX will process the recycling into shower walls, countertops and other high-value material.  The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg, S.C.) 9/25

Glass recycling may come back to Savannah, Ga.

Savannah, Ga., may partner with glass recycling company Glass WRX to return glass recycling to the city after a five-year absence, said Nick Palumbo, a city alderman. The return of glass collection would create revenue opportunities for the city and lower utility fees for residents, Palumbo added.  WJCL-TV/WTGS-TV (Savannah, Ga.) (9/24)

Ciner Glass to build manufacturing plant in Wales

The UK's Ciner Glass is planning to construct a nearly $474 million glass packaging plant in Wales. Ciner will also support efforts in Wales to boost glass recycling via a return deposit program, according to board member Didem Ciner.  Glass International (9/23)

O-I, Glass pilots glass collection in Va. county

O-I, Glass has donated glass recycling bins to James City County, Va., for a pilot program that aims to boost glass recycling in the county. O-I, Glass will collect the recycling and process the material into cullet for the manufacture of new glass products. Williamsburg Yorktown Daily (Williamsburg, Va.) (9/22)

O-I, Glass urges consumers to go plastic-free

O-I, Glass is rolling out the "Plastic-Free Diet" campaign on social and digital channels that encourages consumers to avoid drinking or eating anything packaged in plastic for one week. The company is also debuting a tool on the Instacart app that allows users to choose only glass-packaged foods and beverages.  MediaPost Communications (9/21)

Furnace of the Future key to carbon-neutral industry

A European Glass Packaging Federation webinar examined the Furnace of the Future project led by Ardagh that is developing a hybrid furnace primarily powered by electricity. "We recognized from the start of this project that this is key to setting us on the path to climate-neutral glass packaging and to ensure the long-term sustainability of glass packaging," said Martin Petersson, CEO of Ardagh Glass. Glass International (9/21)

Startup specializes in glass cannabis containers

Packwolves is a California-based startup supplying cannabis companies with glass packaging that presents an "elevated design" to offer brands packaging "they can be proud of," said co-founder Tom Vickers. The company offers custom and predesigned glass containers featuring a "twist and seal" function that is said to extend product freshness.  Benzinga (9/20)

Maine's EPR law is model for the nation

Other states should follow Maine's lead in passing extended producer responsibility legislation that requires producers to pay 100% of municipal recycling costs related to packaging, writes David M. Kuchta. These laws will result in more recycling and more sustainable packaging, adds Kuchta. TreeHugger (9/20)

Calif. nonprofit honors businesses reusing glass packaging

Nonprofit Zero Waste Humboldt of Humboldt County, Calif., has recognized the Ferreira & Son Dairy and Alchemy Distillery as "Zero Waste Heroes." The dairy has diverted more than 1,000 milk cartons and plastic bottles from the landfill with a new refillable glass bottle system, and the distillery's glasses are upcycled from returned spirits bottles. Times-Standard (Eureka, Calif.) (9/19)

Curbside glass collection coming to Ala. community

Phoenix Glass Recycling will start offering residential curbside glass recycling pickup in Huntsville, Ala., beginning in November. Phoenix Glass will also collect glass recycling from area businesses for additional costs. WZDX-TV (Huntsville, Ala.) (9/18)

Kan. county campaign reminds people to "Recycle Right"

The County Department of Health and Environment for Johnson County, Kan., is starting the Recycle Right campaign to educate residents about what can and cannot be recycled and problems related to contamination. For example, notices will remind residents to keep glass out of curbside bins and take containers to Ripple Glass' drop-off purple bins instead. Jackson County (Kansas) (9/17) 

Industries come together to talk sustainable furnaces

Furnaces International's and the British Industrial Furnace Constructors Association's inaugural Future of Furnaces symposium held last week featured speakers from the glass, steel and aluminum industries discussing ways to collaborate on sustainable furnace technology. Sharing data and focusing on artificial intelligence is key to developing a furnace "intelligent enough to improve its own performance," said Mark Allen, sales director for Mechatherm.  Glass International (9/15) 

Calif. winemakers reduce glass bottle weight

Fetzer Vineyards in California's Mendocino County and Sonoma County's Jackson Family Wines are reducing the weight of their glass bottles to make packaging more sustainable as the industry looks to lessen its carbon footprint. With Fetzer's introduction of lighter-weight glass containers, its refreshed Burgundy-style chardonnay bottle is 14.8% lighter than its predecessor, and the total carbon footprint is reduced by 15.7% when factoring in cuts in transportation emissions and materials.  North Bay Business Journal (Santa Rosa, Ca.) (9/14)

Calif. bill "paving way" for returnable bottle systems

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to sign AB 962, which allows the inclusion of refillable glass bottles in the state's container redemption program, as long as the redemption centers send the bottles to a cleaning facility approved by the state. The bottles could then be used for refill by beverage producers, "paving the way for returnable beverage bottle systems in California," according to nonprofit Californians Against Waste.  WasteDive  (9/14)

Ardagh assists nut butter brand's shift to glass packaging

Ardagh is supplying the glass jars UK nut butter brand Pip & Nut needs to complete its transition from plastic to glass packaging. "With the move to glass jars, we've improved the recyclability of our products as glass is more widely recycled in the UK than plastic," said Pip & Nut founder Pip Murray.  Glass International (9/13)

Container trade groups offer support for well-designed deposit systems

Glass, PET and metal beverage container manufacturing associations voiced their support for well-crafted container deposit systems to boost recycling rates, meet recyclable feedstock end market needs and to decrease waste and litter, write Glass Packaging Institute President Scott DeFife, Can Manufacturers Institute President Robert Budway and National Association for PET Container Resources Executive Director Darrel Collier. A nonprofit supported by the private sector should run the system to reduce costs and increase efficiencies, they write. RealClearEnergy (9/13)

2 Ardagh plants earn Energy Star certification

Ardagh plants in Bridgeton, N.J., and Madera, Calif., have earned the Department of Energy's Energy Star certification, which recognizes facilities that score in the top 25% for energy efficiency nationwide. This marks the seventh consecutive year the DOE has awarded the New Jersey plant with the designation and the eighth consecutive year for the California plant. Recycling Today (9/10)

How the US can fund a better recycling system

The nation's recycling systems need capital to improve, and potential income sources include extended producer responsibility programs, surcharges on all landfill waste and the passage of more container deposit laws, writes Neil Seldman. Incentivizing the development of end-use markets with government grants is crucial to maintaining demand for recycled product, added Steve Lautze, retired director of Recycling Market Development Zones in Alameda County, Calif.  Waste360 (9/10)

S.D. community recognizes Ripple Glass

The City of Vermillion, S.D., has thanked Ripple Glass for providing recycling services since 2016. The city has recycled nearly 256 tons of glass since the partnership began. Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan (S.D.) (9/10)

Bottled water trade group backs RECYCLE Act

The International Bottled Water Association is asking members of the US House of Representatives to pass the Senate-approved Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes funding for the RECYCLE Act. The latter aims to assist communities with upgrading their recycling infrastructure and educate consumers about recycling do's and don'ts.  Waste Advantage Magazine (9/9)

Calif. lawmakers advance recycling labeling bill

California lawmakers have advanced a plastics labeling bill to Gov. Gavin Newsom for approval. The bill seeks to limit the use of recycling symbols on plastic packaging. The New York Times (9/8)

O-I, Glass sets new sustainability goals

O-I, Glass has released its 2021 Sustainability Report, which reveals the company has added new goals for recycled content and renewable energy as well as achieving zero waste by 2030 to its sustainability plan. "We enhanced matters, from our approach to governance and management of sustainability to the number of initiatives and quantitative goals," said CEO Andres Lopes. Glass International (9/8)

Ark. city moves closer to building recycling center

A $5 million recycling transfer station has been approved by the planning commission in Springdale, Ark. Household and construction waste will be delivered to the facility by Cards Recycling, and Cards staff will prepare the recycling for sale by sorting it from the waste.  Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock) (9/8)

How Heinz Glas has blazed sustainability trail

German fragrance and cosmetics container producer Heinz Glas leans into sustainability with its glass-making process, said sales manager Yolande Guillemot. "We are far ahead on this subject, as we have had an electric oven since 1972, and we have only purchased green electricity since 2016," explained Guillemot. Premium Beauty News (9/7)

N.C. small-batch water bottler targets plastic waste

North Carolina-based beverage startup Boomerang Water has collaborated with O-I, Glass to create custom-designed glass water bottles for its water delivery service. Boomerang sanitizes and refills its glass containers onsite at larger businesses and via a subscription service for smaller businesses and members of the public to reduce plastic waste.  The Business Journals (9/7) 

Baralan adds to glass beauty container line

Cosmetics container producer Baralan has expanded its Olivia collection of glass fragrance and skin care bottles by adding the 100 Super-Weight variety, the line's largest size to date. The bottles feature rounded edges and a heavier base. Cosmetics Business (9/7)

USW workforce, Anchor Glass highlighted at Okla. Labor Day event

Parade attendees at Henryetta, Okla.'s Labor Day celebration -- recognized as the state's longest-running -- acknowledged several long-standing industries in and around the city at this weekend's event. The parade float for the United Steelworkers' (USW) Local 48M, representing the hourly workforce at the Anchor Glass Container plant in Henryetta, was remarked on by attendees as one of the many deep-rooted businesses. KFOR-TV (Oklahoma City) (9/6)

O-I, Glass saves energy with new air compressor system

O-I, Glass has installed a centralized computer system that controls the air compressors at four French plants, resulting in a cost savings of roughly $290,000 due to energy use efficiencies. "In addition, we have increased the visibility of the network with all the necessary information on a single screen," said Jean-Paul Arquilliere, ETN manager at O-I Veauche. Glass International (9/6)

Absolut introduces updated packaging

Absolut Vodka is rolling out a new bottle design -- for the first time in over 40 years -- in the US this month and expanding worldwide. Changes include a paper label with the original distillery's address, while the packaging will retain its shape and clear glass.  The Drinks Report (U.K.) (9/6)

Encirc to increase wine filling capacity

UK glass container producer Encirc is set to grow its wine filling capabilities by 75 million liters, marking "one of the most significant increases in UK filling capacity in the industry for many years," said Adrian Curry, Encirc's managing director. Encirc delivered more than 400 million bottles of wine and carbonates to European and UK retailers last year. Glass International (9/1)

Conn. towns to improve glass recycling via drop-off site

The Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority, which serves 13 western Connecticut communities, is aiming to reduce glass recycling contamination by asking residents to remove food-grade glass containers from curbside bins. The authority is directing people to a public drop-off bin for glass recycling instead.  Waste360 (9/1)

GPI provides update on glass container imports, tariff outlook

The Glass Packaging Institute provides a broad overview and outlines the trends connected to glass containers imported into the US. In addition, the association is following a potential tariff exclusion request re-opening, which is currently included in broad, US-Senate approved Chinese security legislation, writes Scott DeFife, GPI president. GPI supported the tariffs imposed on imported Chinese glass containers, and notes an import shift to other countries since their implementation.  Glass Worldwide (Sept./Oct. 2021)

O-I, Glass exec: How GPI champions industry causes

The Glass Packaging Institute is having a positive impact on the industry by working with decision-makers at every level of government to improve the nation's glass recycling infrastructure and create more end markets for recycled glass, said Tim Connors, managing director of O-I, Glass Americas North and GPI board chairman. "The challenge now, and in the future, is to ensure that the real, tangible and sustainable benefits of glass are not lost in the noise of single-attribute claims and misinformation," said Connors.  Glass Worldwide (Sept./Oct. 2021)

Toothpaste brand seeks glass packaging partners

Singapore-based startup Noice Care is seeking glass packaging partners closer to its US and UK markets for its line of natural charcoal toothpaste packaged in refillable glass containers. "Functionally, [glass] is a robust material that is conducive to reuse, and it can stand by itself, which gives it a nice appearance and makes it easier to display on the retail shelf," said Noice CEO Morgane Soret. Packaging World (8/31)

Pa. county to buy new glass recycling bins

The Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority in Pennsylvania has approved grant funding for new glass recycling bins in the area. The county is also considering partnering with O-I, Glass on a glass recycling program because the partnership could lower costs because glass materials would not have to be manually sorted by color, according to David Gordon, board chair of the authority. Courier Express/Tri-County (DuBois, Pa.) (8/30)

Strategic Materials VP on need for glass recycling

Laura Hennemann, vice president of marketing & communications at Strategic Materials, dispels myths about glass recycling in this podcast episode. Hennemann also explains why the demand for recycled glass is growing. Talk To Me Green (8/30)

Glass bottles key to Fetzer's sustainability playbook

Using lighter-weight glass bottles that contain recycled content is vital to California winery Fetzer Vineyards' commitments to improving the environment, said Jessica Baum, Fetzer's director of regenerative development and sustainability. "Glass is endlessly recyclable, never degrades and reduces use of raw materials," added Baum.  BollyInside (8/30)

UK grocer pilots refillable glass milk bottles

UK grocer Morrisons says consumers are responding well to a pilot program that replaces plastic milk containers with refillable glass bottles. The program is projected to remove 40,000 plastic milk containers per year from the stores. Packaging News (U.K.) (8/29)

Va. county's glass drop-off program "wildly successful"

The purple drop-off bin network for glass recycling in Fairfax County, Va., has proven "wildly successful," said county supervisor Pat Herrity. The county has recycled nearly 14,000 tons of glass since the program started in 2019. Connection Newspapers (Alexandria, Va.) (8/26) 

2M Resources restores glass recycling in Mass. community

The Grafton and Upton Railroad company is working with Quebec-based recycling firm 2M Resources to return glass recycling to Hopedale, Mass., three years after glass recycling ended in the state. After trucks deliver glass containers to the Hopedale railyard, 2M processes the glass at its new facility for shipment by rail to out-of-state recycling operations. Milford Daily News (Mas.) (8/25)

Arglass plant supports job growth in Valdosta, Ga.

The metro area of Valdosta, Ga., has ranked ninth out of roughly 400 US metro areas for job growth during a 10-month period last year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. A ranking of the top 10 US job growth areas published by Business Facilities magazine noted the completion of the Arglass Yamamura glass production facility in Valdosta contributed to the job growth.  Valdosta Today (8/25)

2M Resources restores glass recycling in Mass. community

The Grafton and Upton Railroad company is working with Quebec-based recycling firm 2M Resources to return glass recycling to Hopedale, Mass., three years after glass recycling ended in the state. After trucks deliver glass containers to the Hopedale railyard, 2M processes the glass at its new facility for shipment by rail to out-of-state recycling operations. Milford Daily News (Mas.) (8/25)

Break Free's bottle provisions may become standalone bill

Proponents for a national bottle bill are moving to separate language from the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act regarding a bottle bill and use that language to draft new, standalone legislation. The National Stewardship Action Council and other pro-bottle bill groups have stated a separate bottle bill has a better chance of passage.  Waste Dive (8/25)

Anheuser-Busch to feature How2Recycle info on-label

Anheuser-Busch is the first beer company to join the Sustainable Packaging Coalition's How2Recycle labeling program with Bud Light products to start featuring the label this summer and the entire Anheuser-Busch portfolio to follow. "To achieve a truly sustainable supply chain, we need to ensure that our packaging is not only produced sustainably but that our consumers are educated and inspired to join us in this commitment and help to create a more circular future for us all," said Angie Slaughter, Anheuser-Busch's vice president of sustainability procurement.  Recycling Today (8/24) 

Tech improves efficiency, safety in recycling collection

Technological advancements such as GPS, automated trucks and digitally collected data have significantly changed the recycling and waste collection industry, resulting in improved worker safety and more efficient operations, explained Michael Fernandez, director of the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management. Technology has also played a vital role in curbing illegal dumping, added Kisha Murray, manager of Miami-Dade's Code Enforcement Division.  Waste360 (8/24)

Vetropack H1 glass container sales up 23%

Demand for glass beverage containers such as mineral water, soft drink and beer bottles drove a 23% increase in European glass packaging producer Vetropack Group's first-half sales. Demand is expected to remain high for the second half, but prices will need to increase due to rising supply chain costs, according to a Vetropack statement. Glass International (8/24)

When it's time for a package redesign

Products might be due for updated packaging if the product itself has changed or if packaging needs to redefine a brand as it scales, writes packaging consultant Sterling Anthony. Other reasons include changes in regulatory mandates, the need to cut costs or align with technological shifts or a desire to boost a product's sustainability, adds Anthony.  Packaging World (8/23)

DeFife: MRF certification boosts quality cullet supply

The Glass Recycling Coalition's certification process for material recovery facilities encourages MRFs to reduce contamination and meet demand from end users for high-quality recycled glass, said Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. "The glass has value, it's the contamination that comes along with it that is taking the value of that material down," said DeFife.  WasteDive (8/20)

Andersen assumes CEO role at Tomra

Tove Andersen has begun her tenure as the first female CEO and president at Tomra, a producer of reverse vending machines for beverage containers. "What especially excites me is that it is a technology-based business which is purpose-led and delivering on a truly global scale," said Anderson.  Recycling International (8/19) 

Genesis Alkali contractor donates to Wyo. school kids

Steel construction company Peterson Beckner Industries donated 160 backpacks filled with school supplies to the Sweetwater County School District #2 in Wyoming. The company is working on a $350 million project at the Genesis Alkali facility located in the county.  Green River Star (Wyo.) (8/19)

N.C. county, Strategic Materials partner to recycle glass

Glass collected for recycling in Jackson County, N.C., is delivered to Strategic Materials in Raleigh for processing after it's sorted. The end product is used by manufacturers of insulation, reflective paint and other products.  The Sylva Herald (N.C.) (8/18)

Recyclers should offer benefits to overcome labor shortage

Offering lucrative benefits from day one is key to helping recycling operations entice candidates in a tight labor market, said Brent Hildebrand, vice president of recycling for Ontario-based GFL Environmental, and other panelists at the 2021 Resource Recycling Conference. Bi-monthly job fairs have proved successful for Atlanta, Ga., said Kanika Greenlee, who oversees the city's garbage and recycling collection.  Resource Recycling (8/17)

La. nonprofit uses parties to promote glass repurposing

Louisiana-based Glass Act Recycling is encouraging people to find new uses for glass bottles by hosting parties where the containers are crushed into smaller pieces. The organization is raising money to buy a larger crushing machine and hopes to start collecting glass containers for recycling.  The Town Talk (Alexandria, La.) (8/15)

Compostable products aren't quite as advertised

Plates, cups and food containers made of polylactic acid are widely labeled as compostable, but few facilities in the US are able to break them down, writes Lauren Leffer. PLA is easily confused with regular plastic and often winds up mixed in with plastic recycling, causing contamination, according to industry experts. Popular Science (8/14)

Heinz-Glas sees production rebound, enters new markets

Germany's Heinz-Glas has bounced back in the first half of this year, with production returning to pre-pandemic levels. The glassmaker is also branching out into areas such as skin care, spirits and home fragrance, and the company is making gains in India, Poland, China and Brazil. Glass International (8/13)

Maine EPR law won't hurt businesses, supporters say

Maine's new Extended Producer Responsibility law likely will not impose a big financial burden on most affected companies, as larger ones are likely to bear most of the cost, according to Sarah Nichols, director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine's Sustainable Maine program. Rob Tod, founder of Portland-based Allagash Brewing Co., also supports the law, calling it "one effective way to address the urgent issue of waste."  Mainebiz (8/13)

French designer branches out into wine with rose bottle

French designer Pierre Yovanovitch has created his first wine bottle for a rose from Commanderie de Peyrassol. "The bottle design reflects the architecture of the Commanderie de Peyrassol estate and serves as a homage to the natural tones and colors of the South of France," Yovanovitch said. Wallpaper (8/13)

Fla. mayor: Infrastructure funds should include recycling

Congress should add funding for recycling system improvements to infrastructure legislation because current materials recovery facilities can't handle the number of recyclables being generated, writes St. Petersburg, Fla., Mayor Rick Kriseman. Such funding could pay for "updated recycling equipment and technologies that would improve the sorting and processing of these materials," Kriseman writes. RealClearPolicy (8/13)

REDUCE Act would tax virgin plastic in single-use items

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., has introduced the Rewarding Efforts to Decrease Unrecycled Contaminants in Ecosystems Act, which would impose a 10-cents-per-pound tax in 2022 on virgin plastic resin used in beverage containers and other single-use products. The tax would increase to 15 cents in 2023 and 20 cents in 2024. ICIS News (U.K.) (8/13)

New COO named at Heinz-Glas

Christian Froba has been appointed chief operating officer at Heinz-Glas. Froba most recently worked at Bucher Emhart Glass and is on the advisory board of the Research Association of the German Glass Industry. Glass International (8/12)

Senate passes bipartisan infrastructure bill

The Senate has voted 69-30 to pass a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that has $550 billion in new spending for transportation, broadband and other utility projects. The Senate has also passed along party lines a resolution to proceed with a $3.5 trillion proposal focused on social initiatives. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 hit record highs Tuesday. Both bills now proceed to the House, which is expected to return the week of Aug. 23. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has said the $3.5 trillion package must be passed before the House will vote on the infrastructure bill. The Wall Street Journal (8/11)

Recycling Partnership to open framework to public input

The Recycling Partnership will accept public comment on its Pathway to Circularity Recyclability Framework beginning Thursday and continuing for 30 days. The framework aims to help packaging producers make their products more recyclable and sustainable to foster a circular system.  Recycling Today (8/11)

Public to help decide future of Conn.'s bottle bill

Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is accepting public comments through Aug. 27 regarding how the state should adopt its recently updated bottle bill. The new bill is expected to increase the number of redemption centers in the state now that retail and redemption center handling fees and bottle deposits are higher. WTNH - TV (New Haven, Conn.) (8/9)

How exactly will Maine's EPR law work?

Sydney Harris, policy and programs manager at the Product Stewardship Institute, explains the consumer brands industry will primarily represent the producers in Maine's recently passed extended producer responsibility law, and the fees imposed on producers will incentivize the use of recyclable packaging. In addition to reimbursing municipalities for recycling costs, EPR fees may eventually fund recycling infrastructure upgrades and education, said Harris. GreenBiz (8/9)

Ore. joins Maine in requiring packaging EPR

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has signed legislation creating an extended producer responsibility program for companies that make packaging, foodservice items and paper products. Oregon is the second state to enact such a law, following Maine. The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) (8/9)

How businesses can assist EPA with 50% recycling goal

This episode of the NothingWasted! podcast features the "Implementing a National Vision for Recycling" session from the recent WasteExpo event that examined ways the Environmental Protection Agency can meet its goal of increasing the US recycling rate to 50% by 2030. Panel members discussed the need to build end markets for recycled content and make EPR programs workable for producers, as well as which pandemic-related impacts on the recycling industry are likely permanent. Waste360 (8/9)

Kan. city, Ripple Glass to pilot curbside glass pickup

Ripple Glass will conduct a six-month pilot program for curbside glass pickup in Roeland Park, Kan. The program will encompass 600 residences and help the city decide if a permanent program is warranted, said Erin Winn, assistant city administrator. Shawnee Mission Post (Prairie Village, Kan.) (8/9)

Vt. coffee shop awarded for returnable glass jar service

Oatly has awarded 1a Coffee Roasters in Wilmington, Vt., $81,300 as part of a grant program that aims to support innovative ideas regarding sustainability in the coffee industry. 1a serves coffee in returnable glass jars, and the grant will fund the purchase of roughly 12,000 new jars and a commercial dishwasher, said co-owner Chrystal Holt.  Brattleboro Reformer (Vt.) (8/8)

N. American Ardagh glass revenue up 9%

Second-quarter revenue for Ardagh Group's North American glass container division increased 9% over the same period last year due to strong demand from the spirits, beer and other beverage sectors. Ardagh's global glass packaging shipments grew 7% for the quarter. Glass International (8/6)

O-I, Glass Q2 sales up 18%

Second-quarter sales for O-I, Glass rose 18%, surpassing company expectations, said CEO Andres Lopez. Shipments in the Americas grew 17%, while a revival in bottled water demand from the hospitality industry helped boost shipments in Europe by 22%, said Lopez. Glass International (8/5)

Bucher Emhart's H1 orders grow by 75%

Bucher Emhart Glass, a Swiss-based machinery provider for the glass container industry, received nearly 75% more orders during the first half of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. Demand is projected to keep increasing during the second half of the year, according to a company statement. Glass International (8/4)

GPI, Ardagh, Prism rescue 1.3M abandoned glass bottles

Laura Guncheon, vice president of Prism Glass Recycling owner Erie Management Group, facilitated a series of events that resulted in diverting 1.3 million empty cobalt blue wine bottles from a New York landfill. Glass Packaging Institute President Scott DeFife contacted Prism for help with processing the abandoned bottles, which eventually found a home as cullet at an Ardagh Group plant in Port Allegany, Pa. Erie Times News (Pa.) (8/4)

Heineken acquires majority stake in Indian beer producer

Heineken has expanded its stake in India's United Breweries Limited to a majority interest. Heineken considers the acquisition a "long-term growth opportunity" due to India's growing middle class and low per-capita beer consumption. Beverage Daily (France) (8/2)

PepsiCo's sustainability goals for Latin America

PepsiCo Latin America Beverages' packaging is 93% recyclable and will hit 100% by 2025, said Erick Scheel, president of the division. PepsiCo plans to increase its use of rPET while considering using reusable glass and plastic alternatives and supporting an industry-led effort in Mexico to improve recycling and "achieve a circular economy solution for packaging," said Scheel. Recycling Today (8/2)

Calif. bill would limit recycling labeling for plastics

California state Sen. Ben Allen, a Democrat, has introduced legislation to restrict which plastics can have the "chasing arrows" recycling symbol. Only plastics with codes 1 and 2 could initially be labeled with the symbol because they are more widely recycled. CALmatters (Sacramento, Calif.) (8/2)

Industries opposed to Maine's EPR law stay engaged

Some industry organizations that did not support Maine's new extended producer responsibility law plan to actively engage in the rulemaking process. "I think this is just the very start of what this program will evolve into both in Maine and around the country," said Christine Cummings, executive director of the Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association. Boston Herald/AP (8/1)

High-tech MRFs are key to recycling more glass

Materials recovery facilities that use sorting technology to separate glass from impurities and sort glass by color are vital to supplying the glass container industry with high-quality cullet, said Robert Hippert, O-I, Glass' sustainability strategy leader for manufacturing. Improving the recycled glass stream will convince more communities to collect glass, said Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute, which aims to help the US boost its glass recycling rate to 50% by 2030. Chemical & Engineering News (8/1)

Ardagh grant supports STEM studies in Pa. school district

A $20,000 grant from Ardagh Group will fund a pre-K to fifth-grade program called "Project Lead The Way" in Pennsylvania's Port Allegany School District for two years. The program enables elementary school kids to explore STEM subjects and teachers to expand their STEM teaching toolbox. The Bradford Era (Pa.) (7/30)

Entries welcome for Craft Spirits Packaging Awards

The Glass Packaging Institute-sponsored Craft Spirits Packaging Awards is accepting entries through Oct. 1 with winners revealed at the American Craft Spirits Association's Convention and Vendor Trade Show in December. Nine categories will be judged, including rum, gin, vodka and whiskey, as well as Best in Show and Best Portfolio.  Craft Spirits Magazine (7/30)

N.C. county sets sights on higher glass collection rate

Plans to improve recycling efforts in Mecklenburg County, N.C., include encouraging residents to take glass recycling to drop-off centers to avoid contamination in curbside bins. The county's four yellow glass bins collected nearly 180 tons of glass in 2020, and nonprofit Sustain Charlotte aims to hit 300 tons this year, according to a statement. The Charlotte Observer (N.C.) (7/28)

O-I, Glass to boost supply with recycling program

O-I, Glass is making sure all of the 17 communities where the company operates have glass collection services with its Glass for Good program. "We will collaborate with customers, NGOs, suppliers and local leaders to make glass recycling available in 100% of our locations," according to a company statement. Resource Recycling (7/27)

SMI joins O-I, Glass to support Don't Trash Glass program

Greater Chicago area bars and restaurants have access to an eight-week pilot program called Don't Trash Glass thanks to a partnership with Constellation Brands, Strategic Materials, O-I, Glass and the Glass Recycling Foundation. The Foundation invited Arizona-based recycler GlassKing to bring the program to Chicago and partner with Lakeshore Recycling Systems and SMI for recycling and processing services, demonstrating "the value of partnerships across the industry," said Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute and the Glass Recycling Foundation. Waste Advantage Magazine (7/26)

Waste Management exec: Sustainability business will grow

Tara Hemmer, Waste Management's first-ever chief sustainability officer, says the company wants to pursue revenue growth in areas such as organics and recycling. "Sustainability for us is really a growth strategy," Hemmer says. Waste Dive (7/26)

Polish retailer unveils returnable glass water bottles

Polish retailer Carrefour Polska has debuted a sparkling water brand available in one-liter returnable glass bottles. Consumers pay a one-time deposit fee, and the rollout aims to reduce glass waste, said Marek Lipka, Carrefour Polska's commercial director and a member of the management board. European Supermarket Magazine (7/26) 

Glass bottle deposit program a hit for Texas dairy

Andrew Volleman with Texas-based Volleman's Family Farm said selling the farm's milk in local retail in returnable glass bottles with a $2 deposit fee has proven wildly successful. "That uniqueness of the glass bottle is what consumers love -- the sustainability of it all," said Volleman. The Battalion (Texas A&M University) (7/26)

GRF honors 2 MRFs with gold certification

Two material recovery facilities have been awarded the Glass Recycling Coalition's gold-level certification: Single Stream Recyclers in Sarasota, Fla., which is owned by Texas-based Balcones Resources, and Mid America Recycling in Des Moines, Iowa. Both facilities are the first in their respective areas to earn the gold certification. Recycling Today (7/22)

Ill. city's glass drop-off bin a hit with residents

Quincy, Ill., has collected more than 20 tons of glass recycling since installing a collection bin in May. The city sells the glass to Kansas City, Mo.-based Ripple Glass. WGEM-TV (7/22) 

Label-makers prep for big wine year in Australia

A record grape harvest by Australia's wineries has wine bottle label producers preparing for a busy year. The harvest of more than 2.2 million tons of grapes marks a 31% increase over the 2020 harvest.  Print21 (Australia) (7/21)

O-I, Glass names judges for its design awards

O-I, Glass has appointed seven people representing the packaging, design and publishing industries to serve on the judges panel for its 2021 O-I: Expressions Design Awards. Designs from the five finalists will be featured on O-I, Glass' Contemporary Spirits Collection at Packaging Innovations London in September where the winner will be revealed. Glass International (7/21)

Recycle Ann Arbor joins mission-minded recycling alliance

Recycle Ann Arbor has joined the newly formed Alliance of Mission-Based Recyclers, which believes extended producer responsibility laws and reducing single-plastic use are key to creating a circular economy in the US. The alliance also aims to bridge the communication gap about recycling issues that exists between consumers and producers. MLive (Michigan) (7/20)

The Recycling Partnership adds new directors

The Recycling Partnership has announced the results of its board of directors election: six newly elected directors from a range of industries and one reelected member for a second term. The elected members join Glass Packaging Institute president Scott DeFife, who was made chair of the group's Community Engagement Committee. Recycling Today (7/20)

British Glass unveils net-zero emissions industry plan

British Glass has released a new strategy to help the glass manufacturing industry achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, which is an updated version of the 2015 decarbonization roadmap to follow the UK government's agreement to the Paris Agreement. "We are confident that the measures presented in the net-zero strategy will outline the best route to both reducing and eventually eliminating carbon emissions from our industry, but it is essential that we receive the support required from government to fulfil our ambitions," said British Glass CEO Dave Dalton. Let's Recycle (U.K.) (7/19)

State legislatures are passing waste, recycling bills

State lawmakers have achieved a significant amount of change on local waste and recycling systems so far this year, with two extended producer responsibility bills, a significant bottle bill update, a number of plastic bans and two state mandates requiring certain amounts of recycled content in packaging. "For a lot of states, this year was a campaign year or an education year for their respective legislatures, so in subsequent years they can add some meat to their strategy," said Yinka Bode-George, the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators' environmental health manager. Waste Dive (7/19)

Packaging continuity is key to online sales

The e-commerce boom means package designers need to remember the brick-and-mortar "wall of color" approach to boosting brand familiarity with consumers needs to transfer to the online experience, writes Cindy Cooperman. "[I]f you have a brand package that has a strong visual identity that your consumer connects with and possibly relies on for brand recognition, now would not be the time to change things up with your packaging color," explains Cooperman. Packaging Digest (7/16)

Conn. residents to weigh in on proposed bottle bill upgrade

Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing to gather input on the updates to the state's container redemption program. The department hopes to identify objectives, processes, timelines and other components of implementing the bottle bill from industry stakeholders. Patch (Brookfield, Conn.) (7/16)

Recycling Infrastructure Plan calls for $16B in funding

The Recycling is Infrastructure Too Campaign has introduced its first Recycling Infrastructure Plan, which includes 50 initiatives and requests for $3.3 billion in funding for infrastructure, $3.3 billion for Infrastructure Support Policies and Programs and a total investment of $16.3 billion over three years. "Adding billions of dollars in economic activity to the American economy each year, the recycling circular economy is in its infancy, while recycling infrastructure is fractured and in need of repair much like U.S. bridges and road systems," said National Recycling Coalition president Bob Gedert. Waste Advantage Magazine (7/15)

Glass recycling bin goes on the move at Pa. county parks

Allegheny County, Pa., and the Pennsylvania Resources Council are sending a glass recycling bin to eight of the county's nine parks to serve communities that have ended curbside glass recycling. The bin will stay at a park for six days before moving on to the next one. KDKA-TV (Pittsburgh, Pa) (7/15)

Colo. materials recovery facility reopens with upgrades

Denver's Revolution Systems has announced its recyclable materials recovery facility is back in operation following a 13-week hiatus to retrofit the recycling sorting system. The facility's equipment needed to be totally remade and the new solar-powered system uses less electricity, according to Revolution Systems vice president of marketing John Crowley. The Steamboat Pilot & Today (7/15)

Texas advisory board promotes glass recycling

The Sustainable Resources Practices Advisory Board is urging Waco, Texas, residents to recycle and focus on the amount of glass waste from local businesses in an effort to focus on the city's sustainability. To help, the board is highlighting local resources like Keep Waco Beautiful, which provides free recycling bins and brings them to Cobb's Recycling Center. KXXV-TV (Waco, Texas)(7/15)

Ciner Group commits $100M to boost materials capacity

Turkish glass manufacturer and raw material supplier Ciner Group is investing $100 million to grow its soda ash capacity to meet increased demand. The investment would bring the manufacturer's current capacity of 2.7 million metric tons to 3.3 million metric tons, according to Ciner CEO Gursel Usta. Glass International (7/13)

Maine becomes first state with EPR law

Maine Gov. Janet Mills has signed the nation's first extended producer responsibility bill into law. The state's Department of Environmental Protection will begin the rulemaking process related to the bill on or before Dec. 31, 2023. The Washington Post (7/14)

Baralan releases airless glass container series

Italian cosmetics and beauty packaging producer Baralan has developed the first airless glass bottle line without an inner plastic container, creating a more sustainable packaging solution. The Developing the Evolution of Airless line offers three sizes and is said to serve as a superior option for preserving content quality. Cosmetics Business (7/12)

Biden takes action to curb unfair freight charges

An executive order signed by President Joe Biden strengthens the Federal Maritime Commission's and Department of Justice's ability to curb anti-competitive activity that has driven some freight shipping rates up 229% since last year. With US ports setting volume records monthly, American Association of Port Authorities CEO Chris Connor said, "We need to get federal dollars into America's port system so that ports can build up with more resilient infrastructure for the size of the marketplace now and into the future." Transport Topics (7/12)

N.C. county restarts glass collection

Strategic Materials is returning glass collection to Pitt County, N.C., by establishing a network of six yellow drop-off recycling containers with an additional eight containers budgeted for the next fiscal year, said John Demary, the county's director of solid waste and recycling. Curbside glass collection ended last summer due to contamination, and the glass collected by Strategic Materials will be used for new glass production. WCTI-TV (New Bern, N.C.) (7/10)

Energy-efficient furnaces depend on renewables supply

The European Union needs to significantly ramp up renewable energy production if the glass packaging industry is expected to help the EU meet its 2030 carbon-reduction goals, writes Nikolaus Kurmayer. Ardagh is building the "Furnace of the Future" in Germany in collaboration with the EU glass packaging industry, as it aims "to demonstrate that melting with 80% electricity is feasible," said Fabrice Rivet, technical director at the European Container Glass Federation. EurActiv (7/8)

Encirc to fire furnaces with hydrogen at UK plant

Encirc plans to use hydrogen as the fuel source for a UK glass bottle plant by 2025. The pivot to hydrogen may cut the plant's carbon emissions by more than 11 million tons annually and is made possible by a UK hydrogen and carbon capture and storage system called HyNet North West. Glass International (7/8)

Strategic Materials exec on glass recycling market

There's a strong end market for glass recycling with fiberglass leading demand due to the increased construction of new homes, said Curt Bucey, executive vice president at Strategic Materials, during a WasteExpo session. Bucey added material recovery centers can boost recycled glass content with system upgrades that involve costs relatively easy to recoup. Waste360 (7/8)

UK nut butter brand pivots to glass packaging

UK nut butter brand Pip & Nut is replacing its plastic packaging with glass containers made from a minimum of 50% recycled glass to improve the recyclable potential of its packaging, according to a company statement. The shift was also made to support grocery chains in the UK aiming to reduce plastic packaging in their stores. The Grocer (U.K.) (7/7)

Label firms Multi-Color Corp., Fort Dearborn Co. to merge

Label manufacturers Multi-Color Corp. and Fort Dearborn Co. are merging following the acquisition of both companies by private equity firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice. The deal is valued at roughly $6 billion and is expected to close by the end of the year. The Wall Street Journal (7/2)

Ciner Glass to build UK, Belgium plants

Glass container producer Ciner Glass Group is increasing production with greenfield sites planned for Belgium and the UK due to growing demand for beverage containers, said Didem Ciner, executive board member. The company also plans to support the development of a container deposit system in the UK to help build a circular economy and is targeting carbon-neutral production at its Belgium plant, said Ciner. Glass Worldwide (June/July 2021)

German agency presents O-I, Glass with $2.5M grant

O-I, Glass' production plant in Holzminden, Germany, has earned a nearly $2.5 million grant from the Lower Saxony Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour, Transport, and Digitalisation for the facility's use of Modular Advanced Glass Manufacturing Asset technology. The funds will be used to construct a new manufacturing building and purchase new machinery, according to O-I, Glass. Glass International (6/30)

How supply chain sustainability builds circularity

Sustainable supply chains contribute to a circular economy when they focus on the reuse of resources, writes Chris Cunnane, research director supply chain at ARC Advisory Group. Cunnane cites the AB InBev 100+ Accelerator program as a good example of promoting supply chain circularity, as startups participating in it have diverted 1,000 tons of glass waste from landfills since the program's founding in 2018. Forbes (6/29)

EME cullet system going into Heinz-Glas plant

Cullet handling equipment supplier EME is installing a complete cullet system in a Heinz-Glas plant in Poland. The system includes a process for storing and feeding post-consumer recycled glass. Glass International (6/28)

Glass is safe, sustainable, premium packaging option

Food and beverage producers opt for glass packaging due to its safety and sustainability, writes Wouter Wargerink, general manager at uCan-Packaging. Glass containers preserve food quality without exposure to chemicals, are 100% recyclable and designate a product as premium versus products packaged in plastic or tin, writes Wargerink. FSR Magazine (6/28)

O-I, Glass plant awarded EPA's Energy Star

The EPA has awarded an O-I, Glass plant in Brockport, Pa., with the agency's Energy Star certification, meaning the facility is ranked in the top 25% of similar plants for energy efficiency. "At O-I we have set ambitious goals in our journey to become the most sustainable producer of the most sustainable rigid packaging option," said Jim Nordmeyer, global vice president of sustainability. Glass International (6/25)

Ore. set to pass EPR bill into law

An extended producer responsibility bill in Oregon is heading to Gov. Kate Brown's desk after passing a House vote. The bill's requirements include achieving recycling targets for plastic packaging and requiring packaging producers to contribute to the state's recycling costs, but wine and spirits producers could opt in to the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative's deposit system instead of the EPR program. Oregon Public Broadcasting (6/25)

N.J. lawmakers pass recycled content mandates

The New Jersey Senate has passed a bill that sets recycled content mandates for several types of glass, plastic and paper packaging and bans polystyrene packaging fill. The bill heads to the state Assembly for consideration. NJTV (New Jersey) (6/24)

GPI, partners form recycling-focused coalition

The Glass Packaging Institute has joined other industry trade associations, Closed Loop Partners, The Recycling Partnership and restaurant chains in forming a lobbying organization called Recycling Infrastructure Now. The group is advocating for increased federal investment and public-private partnerships focused on improving the nation's recycling system. Politico (6/23)

Bottle bill updates face hurdles in most states

Connecticut is the only state that has enacted an expanded container deposit bill this year, while efforts in other states have stalled out. The Glass Packaging Institute supports bottle bills partially because they generate good-quality glass for recycling. Waste Dive (6/23)

O-I, Glass, Ardagh execs to lead FEVE

The European Container Glass Federation, also known as FEVE, has appointed O-I, Glass President of Business Operations and O-I Europe Vitaliano Torno as president for a two-year term. Ardagh's CEO of Glass Packaging for Europe, Martin Petersson, has been named vice president of the organization. Glass International (6/22)

N.J. lawmakers weigh advanced recycling, PS bills

Separate bills that would encourage advanced recycling and ban the use of polystyrene packaging as well as require a certain percentage of glass, plastic and paper takeout containers use recycled content are moving through the New Jersey Legislature. The US could generate nearly $10 billion in economic output and create 38,500 new jobs by building out 260 additional advanced recycling facilities, per a 2019 report from the American Chemistry Council. NJ Spotlight (6/22)

Terminal in Shenzhen, China, still faces backlogs

The Yantian International Container Terminal in Shenzhen, China, is operating at 70% capacity after a coronavirus outbreak forced it to drop to 30%, but long wait times are expected to continue, leading to higher shipping costs. The terminal has roughly 300,000 20-foot equivalent units awaiting export. Supply Chain Dive (6/22)

Ore. county resumes container redemption

Retailers in Jackson County, Ore., who halted container redemption programs due to the coronavirus pandemic, must resume those services with the county's risk level dropping to moderate. "My office has received a number of inquiries from constituents who have been eager to recycle their bottles and cans, and who are frustrated by the closures," said state Rep. Pam Marsh. KDRV-TV (Medford, OR)  (6/21)

Ark. region seeks to learn from Ripple Glass

A study by the Northwest Arkansas Council and the Sustainability Consortium on how to move toward a circular economy included input from Kansas City, Mo.-based Ripple Glass. The company started in 2009 by building a glass processing plant and recycled more than 200,000 tons of glass in its first 10 years. Arkansas Democrat Gazette (6/20)

State grant to expand glass collection in Pa. township

A Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection grant has covered 90% of the cost for glass collection containers and capacity-monitoring equipment in Peters Township, Pa. The latter is important as the current container often overfills, leaving glass waste on the ground, said Paul Lauer, township manager. The Almanac (6/18)

GPI supports natural gas refund proposal in N.C.

The Glass Packaging Institute has joined several other industry organizations in supporting North Carolina's Protecting Natural Gas Consumers from Overcharges Act. The recently introduced bill has bipartisan support and aims to grant the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the authority to demand a refund for consumers if an interstate natural gas provider has overcharged them. WCTI-TV (N.C.) (6/17)

Ardagh updates Odenwald jar design

Ardagh Group has released redesigned jars for Germany-based Odenwald fruit sauces that feature a wider opening, bowl-like shape and embossed elements that allow for less product waste and an easier grasp. The new design is a result of consumer feedback and encourages consumers to reuse the jars, according to Mirco Bastiani, head of marketing at Odenwald parent company Andros. Packaging Europe (6/16)

Glass collection returns to Ga. city thanks to 2 teens

Ella Katekovich and Jeslyn Guo are high school students in Milton, Ga., who spearheaded the return of glass recycling to their community by reaching out to Strategic Materials. Strategic Materials has agreed to place a glass collection bin in Milton's Bell Memorial Park and collect the glass at no charge. The Marietta Daily Journal (Ga.) (6/16)

E. & J. Gallo begins to build $423M S.C. distribution center

E. & J. Gallo Winery, the nation's biggest winemaker, is about to begin construction on a $423 million bottling and distribution center in South Carolina's Chester County. The facility will serve as the center of Gallo's East Coast operations, and will eventually feature tasting rooms where customers can sample wines. The Associated Press (6/15)

Reloop circular packaging program is coming to the US

Global nonprofit Reloop is bringing its collaborative approach to creating a circular economy to the US with its first US initiative to focus on plastic packaging. Reloop brings together governments, environmental groups and industry to focus on five areas related to packaging circularity: collecting, sorting, bottle bills, reuse and recycled content. Waste360 (6/15)

Transportation issues disrupt glass supply from China

California-based Encore Glass cites supply chain disruptions in China related to skyrocketing shipping costs and transportation bottlenecks as reasons for the glass import challenges in the US, according to Bradley Tucker, Encore's vice president of sales. "Even if you can get glass out of China, the [shipping] container rates increased by four times, that is if you can get a container," said Tucker.  North Bay Business Journal (Santa Rosa, Calif.) (6/14)

Proposed Maine EPR bill would benefit environment

Lawmakers in Maine are considering the passage of the first extended producer responsibility bill in the US that would shift the state's recycling costs to container producers. If passed, the bill would encourage producers to develop more sustainable packaging options, said Sarah Nichols, director of Sustainable Maine for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. The Washington Post (6/14)

2021 is already a good year for recycling legislation

Lawmakers across the US have been busy with waste and recycling legislation during the first six months of the year with Colorado passing a bill that bans plastic bags and foam containers, and Connecticut approving a bill that doubles its container deposit fees and expands its bottle bill to cover new container types. Washington has passed a minimum recycled content bill, and Maryland has passed legislation that aims to increase access to recycling end markets. Waste Dive (6/14)

Wiegand-Glas fuels bottle production with biomethane

Germany's Wiegand-Glas will meet a client's desire for "greener" glass bottles that are made with biomethane by working with biomethane producer bmp greengas of Munich. Biomethane is a renewable methane gas sourced from municipal waste sites. Glass International Online (6/11)

R.I. is overdue for bottle bill

Rhode Island should take note of Connecticut's recent upgrade to its bottle bill by passing legislation of its own, writes Westerly resident Jay Lustgarten. A bottle bill would help Rhode Island -- also known as the Ocean State -- cut down on waste being put into the ocean, writes Lustgarten. The Westerly Sun (R.I.) (6/10)

Tomra appoints industry vet as regional director

Tomra Recycling has named Ty Rhoad, a recycling and waste industry veteran, as its Regional Director of the Americas. "Tomra is at the forefront of the circular economy working toward closing the loop, and I see tremendous growth potential for our industry-leading sorting technologies in the Americas," said Rhoad. Recycling Today (6/10)

Wine wholesalers offer returnable bottle programs

Gotham Project and Good Goods are wine wholesalers pioneering the sale of wine in returnable, refillable glass bottles to shrink the products' environmental footprint. Good Goods CEO Zach Lawless has found offering retail consumers store credit versus a small deposit significantly improved the return rate. The New York Times (6/10)

Glass recycling returns to 3 Pa. communities

The Pennsylvania Resources Council has helped install a permanent glass recycling bin next to the municipal building in O'Hara, Pa. The bin will help compensate for the loss of curbside pickup services for glass recycling in O'Hara and two neighboring towns. Trib Total Media (Tarentum, Pa.) (6/10)

AB InBev creates lightest beer bottle in the world

AB InBev has reduced the weight of its standard beer bottle by 30 grams, producing what it calls the lightest beer bottle in the world. The new design will reduce the company's carbon footprint by 17% for each bottle once it hits the market. Beverage Daily (France) (6/7)

British Glass opposes UK deposit program

Manufacturer British Glass is concerned a proposed Deposit Return Scheme in the UK will prevent the country's glass packaging industry from achieving its closed loop goal of recycling 80% of glass containers for reuse in new container production. The proposal fails to set specific targets, which will likely result in the glass collected going to construction aggregate production versus the glass container industry, according to British Glass. Packaging News (UK) (6/7)

Grant to boost recycling collection in Milwaukee

A $649,000 grant from The Recycling Partnership has allowed the city of Milwaukee, Wis., to distribute 18,600 wheeled recycling carts and recycling information to residents. "The Recycling Partnership is honored to partner with the City of Milwaukee, with support from Dow, PepsiCo Foundation and Rehrig Pacific to continue our work to promote and transform curbside recycling nationwide," said Jill Martin, The Recycling Partnership's director of community programs. Milwaukee Independent (6/7)

Calif. Senate passes 2 bills targeting glass recycling

The California Senate has passed two bills that aim to boost glass collection and recycling. SB 451 adds spirits and wine bottles to the state's recycling program and expands glass collection while SB 38 would require beverage distributors to establish a stewardship organization that would help collect and recycle beverage containers. KABC-TV (Los Angeles) (6/6)

Conn. lawmakers OK new bottle bill with 10-cent deposit

The Connecticut General Assembly has approved a bill that doubles the state's container deposit to 10 cents and extends it to different ones including tea, coffee, kombucha, juice, sports and energy drinks, as well as plant-infused beverages. The bill also imposes a 5-cent surcharge on single-serving alcohol bottles known as nips. NBC-CT (Conn.) (6/3)

Glass Futures to host hydrogen furnace conference

Glass industry nonprofit Glass Futures is presenting the Hydrogen in Glassmaking virtual conference next week. The sessions will examine the environmental benefits of transitioning to hydrogen as a glass furnace fuel source. Glass International Online (6/3)

Tiama Inspection purchases Vimec

Vimec, a Dutch company specializing in inspection solutions for the pharmaceutical glass industry, has been acquired by Tiama Inspection Worldwide, a France-based inspection and quality control provider for glass packaging manufacturers. The deal is expected to help scale Vimec into a global company. Glass International Online (6/3)

Maine EPR bill clears committee vote

The Environment and Natural Resources legislative committee in Maine has approved an extended producer responsibility bill that would enable the state's Department of Environmental Protection to set recycling fees that distributors must pay to assist with beverage container recycling. The bill now heads to the state Senate and House for a possible vote, but some industry associations contend the bill is poorly drafted and fails to advance proven recycling solutions. Resource Recycling (6/2)

2022 EPA budget plan includes recycling system funding

President Joe Biden's proposed budget to fund the federal government in fiscal 2022 seeks a record $11.2 billion in spending for the Environmental Protection Agency, including $10 million for the Sea Our Seas 2.0 Act's Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling pilot grant initiative. The proposal also aims to establish an assistant administrator of environmental justice position at the EPA. Waste Dive (6/2)

GRC awards 2 Texas MRFs with gold certification

Two material recovery facilities owned by FCC Environmental Services in Dallas and Houston, Texas, have earned gold-level certification from the Glass Recycling Coalition. "As this certification grows, it is evident that more MRFs are seeing the value in offering processes and technology to clean up the glass," said Scott DeFife, president of GRC and the Glass Packaging Institute. "Glass is a core recyclable and residents want to recycle it and end markets are eager for this material."  Recycling Today (6/1)

O-I, Glass: How to forge instant consumer connections

Participants in the (Un)Conscious Stories webinar hosted by O-I, Glass explained brands need to choose design elements that have meaning to consumers and convey a story that connects with people on an emotional level in seven seconds or less. "Brands that are able to do that are dramatically changing their ability to influence shoppers," said Arnaud Aujouannet, senior vice president and chief sales and marketing officer at O-I, Glass.  Glass International Online (6/1)

TikTok users extol glass jars for produce storage

A video posted on social media platform TikTok by Steph Gigliotti has gained more than 7.4 million views for demonstrating how storing strawberries in glass jars keeps them fresh for weeks. One TikTok user commented on the video explaining they store all their fresh produce in glass jars for easy meal prep. Newsweek (6/1)

The case for Conn.'s bottle bill overhaul

The Connecticut Senate needs to pass legislation that aims to update the state's bottle bill by doubling the five-cent redemption rate, increasing handling fees and accepting more types of beverage containers, writes Kevin Budris, staff attorney for the Zero Waste Project at the Conservation Law Foundation. These measures will increase redemption rates, lower costs for communities and reduce the state's reliance on trash incinerators, which disproportionately pollute communities of color, writes Budris. The Connecticut Mirror (5/28)

Stoelzle aims to boost B2B service with new website

Stoelzle Glass Group's digital transformation includes a new website that enables clients to access product information and submit queries regarding the group's four business units: Consumer Food and Beverages, Spirits, Pharma and Perfumery & Cosmetics. The group has also unveiled a refreshed YouTube channel featuring videos about glass container production and other industry-related topics.  Glass International Online (5/27)

O-I, Glass to pilot glass collection in Va. county

O-I, Glass is donating glass drop-off bins and a storage bunker to James City County, Va., to help boost glass collection and reduce contamination. An O-I, Glass plant in Toano, Va., will process the glass collected by the pilot program into cullet. Williamsburg Yorktown Daily (Williamsburg, Va.)(5/27)

Wash. glass recycler vies for $10K grant

Seattle Good Business has named the Ellensburg Glass Recycling Cooperative a finalist in a $10,000 grant competition. The nominating process has required the Washington-based nonprofit to create a marketing campaign that will benefit it in the future when procuring customers for its recycled glass content, said Suzanne Noble, cooperative member. Daily Record (Ellensburg, Wash.) (5/26)

Urban Mining CT turns glass waste into opportunity

Urban Mining CT has capitalized on the US' large-scale glass waste disposal challenges by developing Pozzotive -- a pozzolan cement replacement made with postconsumer recycled glass. The company says the manufacturing process for the material is compatible with almost every type of glass.  Westfair Communications (White Plains, N.Y.) (5/24)

Update to Iowa's bottle bill fails to pass

The Iowa legislature has ended its latest session without passing a change to the state's bottle bill. The proposal would have allowed retailers the right to refuse redeemable containers if a redemption center was located nearby.   Explore Okoboji (5/24)

How to repair flawed US recycling system

The US recycling system is broken and fixing it requires changes to the collection, processing and marketing of recycling, according to a report from Columbia University's Earth Institute. "This means improving the technology for sorting and recovering materials, incorporating more recycled material into products, getting these products into the marketplace and creating demand for them," the report stated. The Dallas Morning News (5/23)

Why Va. needs a bottle bill

Virginia lawmakers should craft bottle bill legislation, as states with these bills recycle up to 90% of their beverage container waste, reduce roadside litter and supply the glass container industry with much-needed cullet, writes Rick Galliher, president of the Virginia Bottle Bill Organization. Galliher adds the Glass Packaging Institute and other industry organizations support a bottle bill in Virginia. Richmond Times-Dispatch (Va.) (5/22)

Saverglass downsizes its carbon footprint

Saverglass, a premium glass bottle manufacturer in France, lowered its scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions from 2009 to 2019 by 11%, according to its 2020-2021 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, and the company is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. "[W]e have identified two priority lines of action. The first is to have effective measurement and management of emissions related to our industrial activity," said Saverglass CEO Jean-Marc Arrambourg. "We also expect to take action against our greenhouse gas emissions."  Glass International Online (5/21)

O-I, Glass to finish $36M Spanish plant overhaul

O-I, Glass is spending nearly $36.6 million to renovate a plant in Seville, Spain, with completion expected in July. The project includes a furnace rebuild to improve the plant's energy efficiency and an expansion in production capacity. Glass International Online (5/21)

Encirc ad agency grows global B2B portfolio

Armstrong, a UK-based business-to-business marketing agency, is expanding its global account portfolio and staff. Two of Armstrong's clients are glass manufacturers Encirc and Bucher Emhart Glass. Business Up North (U.K.)(5/20)

Glass Futures nears innovation facility construction

UK-based Glass Futures, a research and technology nonprofit, appears set to receive site approval for the construction of a glass innovation center in St Helens, UK. The center will develop new methods and technologies to improve the sustainability of glass production. Glass International Online (5/20)

Nonprofit brings glass collection to Mont. community

Missoula, Mont.-based nonprofit Recycling Works is extending its curbside glass collection services to the city of Lolo. The nonprofit is considering serving additional communities, as its transfer station can contain up to 500,000 pounds of glass. KPAX-TV (Missoula, Mont.) (5/20)

Stoelzle to ramp up spirits bottle production in US

Stoelzle Glass Group is a specialty glass container producer for luxury markets that plans to shift more of the production at its new US plant in Pennsylvania to spirits bottles, said CEO Georg Feith. The move will help Stoelzle meet growing US demand for "super-premium" spirits bottles that are currently primarily imported from Europe and Mexico, said Feith.  Glass Online (5/20)

UN names 2022 as the International Year of Glass

The UN General Assembly has voted to designate 2022 as the International Year of Glass. Events celebrating the designation next year will include museum exhibits, an opening glass conference in Geneva and the Glass Expo in China.  Glass International Online (5/19)

O-I, Glass ups recycled material goal

O-I, Glass aims to improve the sustainability of its portfolio by increasing its recycled glass content to an average of 50% by 2030. The current amount of recycled glass content in O-I, Glass' containers averages 38%.  Glass International Online (5/19)

Saverglass announces its commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050

GPI Member company Saverglass released their Corporate Social Responsibility Report highlighting progress around its commitments to protecting the environment, developing its employees, and acting for society while outlining its goals for the next decades. Wine Industry Advisor (5/19)

Recycling Partnership proposes $17B system overhaul

A report from The Recycling Partnership finds investing $17 billion in the US recycling system over the next five years would increase recycling rates to roughly 70%. The report specifies that $6 billion should be allocated to educational programs while $11 billion would be needed for equipment and infrastructure improvements to build equitable recycling access across the US. Resource Recycling (5/18)

Group proposes alternative to Conn. 10-cent nips fee bill

In a letter, spirits industry wholesalers and suppliers have proposed an alternative to Connecticut's proposed 10-cent deposit fee for 50-ml bottles, also known as nips. The group is encouraging the state legislature to consider a five-cent "eco fee" that wholesalers would pay to municipalities for each nip sale, regardless of if the mini bottle is returned. CT News Junkie (Conn.) (5/17)

Heinz-Glas commissions $18M electric furnace

Heinz-Glas has installed an approximately $18.3 million electric furnace in its glass production plant in Kleintettau, Germany. The furnace is capable of producing opal glass, perfumery glass and clear glass with a high content of cullet. Glass International Online (5/14)

Why beauty brands should consider glass packaging

As the beauty industry strives to become more sustainable, it should consider packaging options such as refillable containers and glass, writes Cary Lin, CEO of skin care brand Common Heir. Glass is infinitely recyclable and is processed 31% of the time, compared to plastic's average recycling rate of 9%, writes Lin. Glossy (tiered subscription) (5/14)

O-I, Glass names new board chair

John Walker is replacing Carol Williams as Independent Board Chair at O-I, Glass. CEO Andres Lopez thanked Williams, who will continue to serve on the board, for her "tireless dedication," adding, "John has made significant contributions to our board over the last two years." Glass International Online (5/14)

GPI dispels glass recycling myths for communities

The Glass Packaging Institute has produced a flyer entitled "Questions Municipal Recycling Leaders Should Ask About Glass Recycling" to inform communities about opportunities related to end markets. "This new flyer is the first of many resources that GPI will provide to municipal leaders to clarify the misinformation and limited options frequently presented to them during contract negotiations, which leave the impression that eliminating glass is the only way to sustain their recycling programs," said GPI president Scott DeFife. Recycling Today (5/14)

Tomra's new CEO to assume role in Nov.

Tomra, a recycling sorting systems company based in Norway that provides reverse vending machines and operates processing facilities in the US, has appointed Tove Andersen as CEO effective Nov. 1. "I've seen the great work that Tomra is doing to enable the circular economy while also ensuring resource responsibility and minimizing waste across the food, recycling and mining industries," said Andersen, who currently serves as an executive vice president, Europe for chemical company Yara International. Recycling Today Online (5/11)

How wine, glassmakers cut transportation emissions

Bryn Mawr Vineyards in Oregon has improved its environmental impact by shifting its source for glass bottles to an Energy Star-certified Ardagh plant in Seattle, Wash., from a supplier in France, said Rachel Rose, winemaker and vineyard manager at Bryn Mawr. French bottle manufacturer Saverglass is opening more plants worldwide to reduce its transportation-related emissions. Liquor (5/11)

O-I, Glass debuts Drinktainer, premium spirits bottle set

O-I, Glass has rolled out the Contemporary Collection in Europe, a premium spirits line featuring three bottle designs with each available in thick-bottom and lighter-weight styles. The company has also released the Drinktainer, a single-serve bottle designed with a wider mouth to mimic the on-premise drinking occasion in an off-premise setting. The Drinks Report (U.K.) (5/11)

N.Y. legislators approve hotel single-use toiletry ban

Lawmakers in New York have passed legislation banning single-use plastic toiletry bottles that are 12 ounces or smaller in the state's hotels and motels starting in 2024. The state's hospitality industry will likely transition to refillable containers, writes Nicole Axworthy. VegNews (5/10)

Toothpaste brand uses glass containers to shrink footprint

Packaging solutions that help consumers live more sustainably include the refillable glass containers used by the Bite toothpaste tablet brand. "I think with customers realizing that they do have the power to make these changes, it's going to push the entire industry in a more sustainable direction," said Bite founder Lindsay McCormick. Bloomberg (5/8)

Conn. Senate considers bottle bill upgrade

A bill in the Connecticut Senate aims to make the state's bottle bill more effective by doubling the deposit fee, covering a wider range of container types and increasing the handling fees paid to redemption centers. Proponents of the bill believe these changes will reduce litter and increase recycling. New Haven Independent (Conn.) (5/5)

PepsiCo introduces nonresidential recycling program

PepsiCo's new BottleLoop program aims to increase the recycled plastic supply by distributing bins for beverage containers to schools, stores, restaurants and other nonresidential locations and collecting the recycling. The program accepts all beverage containers and offers data analysis from software firm Replenysh to help customers "achieve their sustainability ambitions, and work toward our own recycled content goals," said Tim Carey, vice president of sustainability at PepsiCo Beverages North America. Plastics Recycling Update (5/5)
Choose glass packaging for food containers
Glass packaging is a superior choice for home food storage, as its inertness keeps food fresher longer and its all-natural composition doesn't taint the food, writes Georgina Wilson-Powell. Glass is also endlessly recyclable, and producers have developed lighter-weight glass for containers, reducing their carbon footprint, adds Wilson-Powell. Pebble Magazine (5/4)

Report: Federal bottle bill would cut container waste

A national bottle bill in the US would decrease the number of containers each person sends to landfills annually from 426 to 67, reducing total annual container waste by roughly 117 billion containers, according to a report from bottle bill advocacy group Reloop. Federal legislation was introduced to Congress this March that includes a nationwide bottle bill. Resource Recycline (5/4)

Iowa House advances upgrade to bottle bill

An Iowa House committee has approved an update to the state's bottle bill that doubles the handling fee for redemption centers and ramps up the bill's enforcement. House Republicans aim to advance the legislation further, according to Rep. Jacob Bossman. Muscatine Journal (Iowa) (5/4) 

O-I, Glass establishes recycling program in Va. county

O-I, Glass is bringing its Glass for Good program to James City County, Va., where the company will install glass drop-off bins, collect the glass for use at a nearby plant and donate the value of the collected glass to local charities. "This is going to be an outstanding program for our community," said Michael Hipple, county board of supervisors chair. The Virginia Gazette (Williamsburg) (5/3) 

Ill. city resumes glass recycling

Glass recycling has returned to Quincy, Ill., with the installation of a glass collection bin in the city. The glass is recycled and processed by Kansas City-based Ripple Glass. The Quincy Herald-Whig (Ill.) (5/1)

Ardagh Q1 revenue grows 9%

Year-over-year first-quarter revenue for Ardagh Group grew 9% due, in part, to an increase in glass container shipments. Ardagh is expecting growth to accelerate in the second quarter, and the company is "well-placed to deliver further growth over the course of the year," said chairman and CEO Paul Coulson. Packaging Gateway (UK) (4/30)

GPI's 50% recycling plan requires public-private teamwork

The Glass Packaging Institute's strategy to increase the US glass recycling rate to 50% by 2030 involves public-private partnerships tackling two fronts: improving recycling infrastructure in key markets and updating collection and recycling systems to divert more glass from landfills. "GPI is committed to unlocking the full potential and innate circularity of glass by forming industry, consumer, and public partnerships," said Scott DeFife, GPI president. Recycling International Online (Netherlands) (4/29)

Ore. refillable bottle program a model of sustainability

Oregon craft breweries have access to refillable glass bottles thanks to a collaboration between O-I, Glass, the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative and the Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery. Double Mountain founder Matt Swihart believes "the future is a refillable package," as refillable glass bottles generate up to 66 times fewer carbon emissions than aluminum can packaging. Brands Taking Stands (4/29)

Va. county glass collection soared in 2020. 

Prince William County in Virginia collected a record 537 tons of glass last year, more than doubling the amount collected in its network of purple drop-off bins in 2019. The glass is picked up by Strategic Materials to produce cullet for glass container and fiberglass producers. Prince William Times/Gainesville Times (Warrenton, Va.) (4/29)
Subscription-based recycling startup grows in pandemic
Utah-based Recyclops last year more than doubled the number of cities and states it serves and collected over four times as many recyclables, compared with 2019. The subscription-based company, described as an Uber for recycling, serves people in areas that lack curbside recycling for glass or other materials. Forbes (4/28)
Calif.'s $25M in grants includes glass recyclers
California is investing $25 million in the state's recycling system with $3 million awarded to Gallo Glass for the installation of a glass recycling line that will create cullet for wine bottle production. Roughly $732,000 has been allocated to Strategic Materials to increase the company's cullet production. Recycling Today Online (4/26)

GPI details pathway to 50% glass recycling rate in US

The Glass Packaging Institute and the Boston Consulting Group have drafted a plan to raise the US glass recycling rate to 50% in ten years by focusing on three pillars: Keeping glass recycling accessible and its costs lower than waste disposal, ensuring recycled content is getting to end users through robust infrastructure and forging public-private partnerships to drive collective action. "Increasing the US glass recycling rate to 50% improves the supply of raw material for glass container manufacturing and would result in lower greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs and improve upon the already recognized sustainability performance of glass," said GPI President Scott DeFife. Glass International Online (4/23)

O-I, Glass assists Ohio hometown with glass collection

O-I, Glass will help Perrysburg, Ohio -- home to its global headquarters -- compensate for the loss of curbside glass collection next month by establishing a network of three drop-off bins in the city. The glass collected will be used by O-I, Glass for new glass container production. WTOL-TV (Toledo,Ohio) (4/23)

O-I, Glass exec on recycled glass' potential in US

A used glass bottle can return to the shelf in as little as 30 days due to the fact glass is infinitely recyclable, said Jim Nordmeyer, vice president for global sustainability at O-I, Glass. Nordmeyer added that producing glass from 50% recycled content is a realistic goal for the US. The Colorado Sun (Denver) (4/22)

Ardagh promotes benefits of glass packaging with video

Ardagh has released a video entitled "Alchemy The Story of Glass" that explains why the life cycle of glass materials is infinite. The company also reminds craft brewers of how amber glass provides nearly 100% protection from ultraviolet rays and how all glass containers insulate better than other packaging. Craft Brewing Business (4/21)

Ripple Glass meets growing glass collection needs

Ripple Glass has expanded its purple drop-off bin network in the Kansas City, Mo., area to more than 100 sites since its founding 12 years ago, as well as added new partnerships with municipalities across 9 states. President Mike Patterson doesn't mind hearing the sound of glass crushing all day, as "it sounds like the right thing to do to me, and the right thing to do for us and the world we live on." The Kansas City Star (Mo.) (4/21)

Vt. House approves expanding deposits to more containers

The Vermont House has passed a bill that would apply the state's 5-cent deposit to almost all recyclable beverage containers. The Glass Packaging Institute worked to correct misinformation given to the legislature about quality and end-markets for deposit glass that is most easily turned into new containers, according to President Scott DeFife. Seven Days (Burlington, Vt.) (4/21)

Knauf Insulation lends financial support to GRF

International insulation producer Knauf Insulation has contributed to the Glass Recycling Foundation with the intention to advance glass recycling in the US. "Knauf's donation will help us spark action for regional glass recycling, pilot projects and educational outreach," said Scott DeFife, president of GRF and the Glass Packaging Institute. Recycling Today Online (4/21)

Recycler to offer monthly glass collection in Utah county

Momentum Recycling is bringing monthly curbside pickup for glass recycling to four communities to southern Davis County in Utah. The company also aims to expand the service to northern parts of the county and the city of Ogden. KSL-AM/FM (Salt Lake City) (4/21)

Emterra opens MRF in Mich. city

Emterra Environmental has opened a state-of-the-art material recovery facility in Lansing, Mich., that uses robotic sorting and allows the cities of East Lansing and Lansing to cease shipping material to Detroit. "For the first time in many years, we will keep our recyclable materials local, saving money and enhancing our recycling efforts throughout the Greater Lansing Area," said Lansing Mayor Andy Schor. WILX-TV (Lansing/Jackson, Mich.) (4/20)

Coca-Cola's recovery plans include refillable glass bottles

Coca-Cola is focusing more on returnable, refillable glass bottles, as well as smaller serving sizes and multipacks during the economic recovery. Volume sales returned to pre-pandemic levels last month, signaling demand is increasing, according to a company statement. Reuters (4/19)

O-I, Glass seeks bottle designs from young artists

O-I, Glass has launched a glass bottle design competition for designers and design students under age 30. The O-I: Expressions Design Awards 2021 is seeking concepts for a spirits brand that communicate its identity and commitment to sustainability, said Melianthe Leeman, global marketing director for wines and spirits at O-I, Glass. Glass International Online (4/19)

How Ore. plans to advance its green reputation

A US News and World Report study ranks Oregon as the sixth "greenest" state with a state report finding it reused nearly 41% of its waste in 2018. The state aims to increase that number to 55% by 2025, as "it's part of our regional character to be concerned and want to see our waste taken care of in the best possible way," said Patrick Morgan, a recycling information specialist at the Portland area's Metro Council. KGW-TV (Portland, Ore.) (4/19)

Heineken targets carbon neutrality

Heineken is addressing climate change by pledging to make its production carbon neutral by 2030 and its entire value chain carbon neutral by 2040. The plan includes using returnable glass bottles, shifting to renewable energy and replacing plastic packaging with cardboard. Beverage Daily (France) (4/19)

Vt. bottle bill upgrade crosses first hurdle

Vermont's House of Representatives has passed an updated bottle bill that doubles the number of container types eligible for redemption, including wine, some spirits, sports drinks and bottled water. The proposal has gained support from the Glass Packaging Institute and is heading to the state Senate for a vote. Valley News (White River Junction, Vt.) (4/18) 

3 Pa. municipalities to share glass drop-off bin

The Pennsylvania communities of O'Hara, Aspinwall and Blawnox are compensating for the loss of glass recycling collection by installing a drop-off bin in O'Hara at the township's municipal building. The communities will contribute equally to the $600 dumping fee. Trib Total Media (Tarentum, Pa.) (4/16)

Gallo closer to earning state approval for S.C. facility

The South Carolina Senate has approved an exemption to state law that will allow a proposed $400 million E.&J. Gallo bottling and distribution facility to have tasting rooms. The proposal is headed to the state House for a vote, then to the desk of Gov. Henry McMaster, who has stated, "I look forward to signing this bill into law and welcoming Gallo to South Carolina." The Modesto Bee (Calif.) (4/14)

Ripple Glass to provide Ill. city with glass recycling

Ripple Glass has entered into a three-year agreement to provide glass recycling for Quincy, Ill. The partnership is expected to save the city money via fewer landfill fees, said Kyle Moore, the city's mayor. The Quincy Herald-Whig (Ill.) (4/12)

Texas brewery boosts sustainability by recycling carbon

Texas-based craft brewer Alamo Beer Co. is shrinking its carbon footprint by using a carbon-capture system developed by environmental service company Earthly Labs that recycles the carbon produced during fermentation as carbonation for the brewing process. Earthly Labs CEO Amy George cited data indicating sustainability is important to craft beer drinkers, and they are "willing to pay a premium" to support eco-friendly brands. San Antonio Current (4/12)

Iowa city collects 200+ tons of glass via new system

The installation of glass recycling drop-off bins in Dubuque, Iowa, has allowed the city to collect 207 tons of glass containers during the past year, according to a statement. The glass is delivered to Ripple Glass for the manufacturing of new bottles and fiberglass insulation. The Telegraph Herald  (Iowa) (4/11)

N.Y. lawmakers need further info on glass supply, demand

New York state lawmakers should prioritize improving the state's recycling infrastructure rather than finding end markets for recycled glass, as those markets already exist but require high-quality recycled content, writes Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. "[T]here are several glass container manufacturing facilities in or near the state who want more recycled glass for use in making new products," writes DeFife. The Post-Journal (4/10)

Diageo pilots Encirc's 100% recycled glass bottle

A collaboration between global spirits producer Diageo, glass manufacturer Encirc and nonprofit Glass Futures has produced 173,000 scotch whisky bottles made from 100% recycled glass and a furnace powered by waste. Diageo considers this project another step toward hitting net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, said John Aird, senior packaging technologist at Diageo. The Spirits Business (U.K.)(4/9)

Glass could be a bright spot in Ind. recycling

In Indiana, it generally costs less to throw things away than to recycle them, and some types of plastic are easier to recycle than others, according to Allyson Mitchell, executive director of the Indiana Recycling Coalition. However, she notes that paper, cardboard and glass are all in high demand, with many manufacturers using recycled glass to make new containers.  Indiana Public Media (4/8)

Why Communities are resuming control of recycling

Communities across the US are improving recycling outcomes by "re-localizing" recycling operations, working with nonprofits on recycling collection and returning to dual-stream collection, writes Neil Seldman. A growing end market is supporting these efforts, such as the companies served by Strategic Materials, which processes glass recycling for use in bottle, abrasive and insulation production, Seldman writes.  Waste360 (4/8)

GPI names O-I, Glass exec Tim Connors as board chair

Tim Connors, managing director of O-I, Glass North America, is the new Board of Trustees chairman for the Glass Packaging Institute. "I look forward to engaging with GPI leadership and our fellow members as we initiate our road map for recycling and increasing awareness of the benefits of glass packaging," said Connors. Glass International Online (4/7)

NERC conference tackles 3 emerging recycling trends

The Northeast Recycling Council's spring conference examined the viability of a container refill system with input provided by glass bottle refill program organizers from California and Germany. The council also studied Canada's extended producer responsibility programs and whether there's a place for chemical recycling in a circular economy. Waste Dive (4/7)

Glass is sustainable, premium choice for beverages

Glass provides the beverage industry with a sustainable packaging choice due to its infinite life cycle, use of recycled content and all-natural components, said Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. Brands are also turning to glass for the material's capabilities regarding premium, specialty packaging, DeFife added.  Beverage Industry  (4/6)

MCC collaborations target food, packaging waste

Label producer Multi-Color Corporation is working with Digimarc to reduce waste during food recalls with serialized product packaging that traces food back to its origin. MCC's Verstraete Injection Molding Labels unit is working with Digimarc, as well as Orkla, a Norway-based consumer brands supplier, to create digital watermarks on packaging that link to recycling and reuse information.  Quality Assurance & Food Safety (4/2021)

Ripple Glass serves as vital supplier for end markets

Ripple Glass collects glass recycling from nine states to process roughly 100 tons of glass a day and more than 40,000 tons of glass annually, said Lydia Gibson, director of corporate development, in this episode of the PBS television series "My World Too." The processed content is shipped to end users for fiberglass and glass container production, while any non-recyclable content has "beneficial reuse" as road aggregate and other filler material, said Gibson. PBS (4/2)

European glassmakers partner on Furnace for the Future

A collaborative effort by 19 European glass producers dubbed the Furnace for the Future has been selected for the second stage of the EU Innovation Fund. "The Furnace for the Future represents a key step towards a sustainable future for glass packaging," European Container Glass Federation President Michel Giannuzzi said of the project, which aims to create a hybrid furnace powered by 80% electricity and 20% fossil fuels.  Glass International Online (3/30)

Genesis Alkali keeps glass container industry moving

Genesis Alkali's Green River trona mining facility in southwest Wyoming produces 4 million tons of natural alkali products a year, including the soda ash used in glass container production. Natural soda ash production is known to result in fewer harmful pollutants and consume less energy than its synthetic counterpart. The Daily Rocket (Wyo.) (3/29)

Corning accelerates vial production for COVID-19 vaccines

Corning is ramping up production of its Valor Glass pharmaceutical vials ten-fold this year to meet demand for the COVID-19 vaccine. The company has deployed a machine-vision system to detect potential flaws in each of the vials to ensure their strength and safety, said Mark Kurz, Corning's director of manufacturing and supply chain operations for pharmaceutical technologies. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (3/28)

EPA awards Ardagh facility with Energy Star designation

An Ardagh glass plant in Madera, Calif., has attained Energy Star certification from the Environmental Protection Agency. The certification is awarded to facilities operating within the top 25% of their respective industries regarding energy performance. The Business Journal (Calif.) (3/25)

Ardagh tapped for Bragg's new glass bottle design

Ardagh North America has designed and produced the glass bottles for Bragg Live Food Products' new apple cider vinegar line. "We chose to partner with Ardagh to craft a fully recyclable bottle solution that best reflects one of our core values of protecting Bragg's legacy of developing only high quality, natural products," said Linda Boardman, Bragg CEO.  Packaging Gateway (3/25)

Federal recycling legislation seeks second life in 2021

Recycling legislation that stalled last year in Congress due to the pandemic but has been reintroduced in 2021 with glass industry support includes the bipartisan RECYCLE Act, which aims to boost recycling with $15 million annually in educational programs through 2026. The industry has also signaled support for the RECOVER Act, which pledges $500 million to improving US recycling infrastructure.  Waste Dive (3/25)

Nominations for GPI's 2021 Clear Choice Awards underway

The Glass Packaging Institute is accepting nominations until April 15 for the 2021 Clear Choice Awards, which recognizes exceptional glass containers produced from January 2019 to December 2020. Awards are given in eight categories: food; non-alcoholic beverages; cider and flavored alcoholic beverages; wine; spirits; beer; fragrances, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals; and sustainability and innovation. Craft Spirits Magazine (3/19/21)

UK glass producers target 90% recycling rate

The UK glass packaging industry has pledged to hit a 90% glass recycling rate by 2030. The target was established last week at the inaugural Glass Recycling Summit hosted by industry group British Glass. Glass On Web (3/19/21)

Gallo seeks to construct $400M hub in S.C.

E. & J. Gallo will invest more than $400 million in a new bottling, warehousing and distribution center in South Carolina, pending state approval of four satellite tasting rooms, said Rob Donoho, Gallo's head of global chain functions. The 600-acre site will serve as Gallo's primary base for the East Coast, added Donoho. Wine Business (3/18/21)

Multi-Color Corporation joins GPI

Ohio-based Multi-Color Corporation, one of the world's largest label suppliers, has become a member of the Glass Packaging Institute. "MCC plays a crucial role in providing innovative and sustainable label options for the glass packaging industry," said Scott DeFife, GPI president. Glass International online (3/16/21)
Heineken enlists in Encirc's low-carbon glass bottle pilot
Heineken is partnering with Encirc and Glass Futures to test 1.4 million bottles produced with low-carbon biofuels and comprised of up to 100% recycled glass. The UK government-funded trial will test the bottles' resiliency throughout the supply chain. New Food Magazine (3/15/21)

Supplement brand's glass bottles boost sustainability

Seraphina Therapeutics, a direct-to-consumer supplement subscription service, tapped the Los Angeles-based Phenomenon design agency to develop a glass bottle design for a new fatty acid supplement that prompts people to keep and reuse the bottle. The bottles feature silk-screened printing and are secured during shipping by corrugated inserts, which reduces packaging waste. Packaging World (3/12/21)

Schott surpasses 1B doses of COVID-19 vial production

Pharmaceutical glass company Schott has manufactured enough glass vials for the COVID-19 vaccine to deliver more than one billion doses worldwide. Roughly 90% of vaccine production depends on Schott vials, and the company is on pace to produce enough vials this year to deliver more than two billion doses, according to a company statement. Glass International online (3/11/21)

GPI roadmap paves the way to 50% recycled content

The Glass Packaging Institute has created a roadmap that can help the glass packaging industry reach a 50% recycled content rate over the next decade. The roadmap calls for improved recycling infrastructure along with key partnerships within state and local governments and advances in glass collection, sorting and processing. Glass Worldwide (March/April 2021)

Pa. Anchor Hocking plant sold to Stoelzle Glass Group

The Anchor Hocking Glass Company plant in Monaca, Pa., has been acquired by Austrian firm Stoelzle Glass Group, which makes packaging for pharmaceuticals, perfumes, cosmetics, spirits and other consumer products. The deal marks the first plant Stoelzle has acquired in the US and its first facility purchased outside Europe. Glass International (3/4/21)

Molson Coors, Encirc partner on glass bottle production

Molson Coors Beverage Company has introduced a new, low-carbon glass beer bottle, which was created in partnership with Encirc, made from up to 100% recycled glass. The new packaging is part of Molson Coors' plan to cut the brewery's carbon emissions in half by 2025. FoodBev (3/5/21)

How Strategic Materials gives new life to glass packaging

In Episode 8 of Waste360's Stef Talks Trash video series, Stefanie Valentic checks in with Laura Hennemann, the vice president of marketing at Strategic Materials, about the ins and outs of the glass recycling industry. The discussion includes refuting some long-held myths about glass recycling and the potential effects of federal deposit legislation. Waste360 (3/4/21)

O-I, Glass partners with Center for Glass Innovation

O-I, Glass is teaming up with the Center for Glass Innovation in New York on a 3-year initiative to develop next-generation glass products, improve energy efficiency in manufacturing and keep glass out of landfills. "Collaborating through the Center for Glass Innovation supports O-I's ambition to transform our processes, products, and our interconnected relationships to bring our vision of a sustainable future to life," said Randy Burns, chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer at O-I, Glass. Glass International online (3/3/21)

Reusable glass packaging has its advantages

David Goldstein writes that many people are nostalgic for old-fashioned, reusable glass beverage bottles, and this packaging is one of the most sustainable with the glass recycling rate being upwards of 63% in states with deposit programs, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. "Glass is 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without loss in quality or purity," said Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute.  Ventura County Star (Calif.) (3/6/21)

Ardagh saw glass shipments rise in second half of 2020

Ardagh Group enjoyed a 2% year-over-year increase in glass shipments during the second half of 2020, according to data shared during a call with financial analysts. The company will focus on reducing costs through automation and other productivity improvements this year. Glass International online (2/24/21)
GPI: Keep glass recycling simple to boost participation
Consumers are advised to keep lids on glass bottles and jars when they're recycled, which makes the process simpler and encourages more people to participate, according to Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. Plastic lids often have to be removed at recycling centers, but it's more important to leave light bulbs, ceramics and non-recyclable glass out of recycling than to separate plastic lids before submitting items, said Julian Garcia, plant manager at Strategic Materials. Ventura County Star (Calif.) (2/27/21)

Md. governor signs recycling end market legislation

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has signed a bill into law that aims to develop a more robust end market for the state's recycling. The law also authorizes the state's Department of the Environment to examine ways to decrease recycling contamination rates. Waste Dive (2/17)

Arglass CEO on new plant, support for industry groups

Arglass Yamamura opened its Georgia plant in December 2020 with the goal of creating the most eco-friendly glass manufacturing facility in North America, and the company plans to support industry initiatives spearheaded by the Glass Recycling Foundation and the Glass Packaging Institute, such as ensuring the industry has a steady supply of quality cullet, said Arglass CEO Jose Arozamena. "We believe that having more active members in GPI pushing together to communicate the strengths and benefits of glass is the only way to grow the US glass market for everyone," said Arozamena. Glass Worldwide Online (Jan./Feb. 2021)