The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) has launched “A Circular Future for Glass” initiative.
It is a 10-year plan to raise the US’s glass recycling rate to 50% and boost the average use of recycled content in domestically made glass containers.
GPI partnered with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to undertake the study, design study solution sets in different regions, and develop a set of options for achieving that goal.
A Circular Future for Glass has three important pillars:
- Leave no bottle behind. This multiprong initiative involves new or expanded bottle-bill laws, clean collection options, and expanded commercial recycling programs.
- Transform the recycling system. Investments and improvements must be made in collection, separating, and processing, especially in selected regions, to reduce the glass that is carted to landfills.
- Drive collective action. This entails creating user-friendly deposit-return programs run by the private sector and other cooperative approaches that build awareness and momentum.
GPI President Scott DeFife said: “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.
“It is an ambitious but achievable goal that can be accomplished with collaboration and cooperation within the glass manufacturing supply chain and with help from all levels of government.
"We are excited to begin this journey with the help of BCG, GPI member companies, and other stakeholders in the industry.”
