Scott DeFife
President
Glass Packaging Institute (GPI)

Abstract:

U.S. Roadmap to Achieving 50% Glass Recycling & Recovery Rate

The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) and its member companies spent much of 2020 reviewing recycling frameworks around the U.S., in an effort to identify different options, avenues and legislative paths to increase the amount, and quality, of recycled glass, suitable for re-melt into new containers. Last year, GPI’s Board of Trustees directed the association to work towards a 50% recycled glass content goal.

This effort resulted in a “Roadmap”, focusing our association on three key areas of work over the next decade to achieve this goal:

1. Collection and cleaner recyclable material streams
2. Additional access to processing access and increased capacity
3. Systematic changes through public-private partnerships to improve recycling efforts

GPI’s efforts coincide with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s recently issued nationwide 50% recycling and recovery goal. We encourage you to join this session to learn how the U.S. glass container industry intends to increase its recycled glass use, through action at the local, state and national level.

Biography

Scott DeFife is President of the Glass Packaging Institute (GPI). As President of GPI, DeFife represents the North American glass manufacturing industry and works closely with member companies to promote glass as the premier packaging option for the food and beverage industry and advance America’s recycling infrastructure so that all materials are properly recycled.

Before coming to GPI, DeFife served as Vice-President of Government Affairs for the Plastics Industry Association where he worked to advance the organization’s new sustainability advocacy work, including upgrading the U.S. domestic recycling infrastructure. Prior to that, DeFife led federal and state government affairs, as well as communications activity for the National Restaurant Association. He has also spent considerable time working for Congressional leaders, including advising House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on economic, energy, environment and financial policy issues, as well as with state and local government organizations.