Section 2.6: Recycling Glass Containers

Recycling is essential to creating a sustainable package. It “closes the loop,” turning recycled glass containers, called cullet, into new bottles and jars.

Glass Recycling Facts

• Glass is 100% recyclable with no loss in quality or purity, making it the only true “cradle-to-cradle” packaging material.
• Glass containers go from recycling bin to store shelf in as little as 30 days.
• An estimated 80% of recovered glass containers are made into new glass bottles.
• In 2007, 34.5% of glass beer and soft drink bottles were recycled, and 28.1% of all glass containers.
• Glass recycling rates are higher in some states, especially those with mandatory beverage container deposits. In California, for example, glass bottle recycling nears 70%.
(Sources: U.S. EPA, Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2007; and California Department of Conservation)

Environmental Benefits

Recycling glass containers provides for unmatched production efficiencies and significant environmental benefits:

• Saves raw materials - Over a ton of natural resources are conserved for every ton of glass recycled.
• Lessens the demand for energy - Energy costs drop about 2-3% for every 10% cullet used in the manufacturing process.
• Cuts CO₂ emissions - For every six tons of recycled container glass used, a ton of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is reduced.
• Extends furnace life - Including cullet in the manufacturing mix makes it less corrosive and lowers the melting temperature (from 2800 degrees F. to 2600 degrees F.), prolonging furnace life.
• No processing by-products - Glass recycling is a closed-loop system, creating no additional waste or by-products.

Glass Recycling and Quality

Bottle to bottle recycling is the highest and best use of recycled glass. But it requires a consistent supply of high-quality cullet—which can make up to 70% of the raw material mix.

Contamination from non-container glass, metal, gravel, and dirt can occur when glass containers are set out for recycling, during collection and processing, or in transit.

Unwanted items in cullet:

• decrease the value of recovered glass
• increase recycling costs
• slow container production
• reduce glass quality
• damage glass manufacturing equipment

Download GPI’s brochure on glass recycling and quality.

Sources for Recycled Glass Bottles and Jars

• Residential curbside collection
• Drop-off collection sites
• Mandatory beverage container deposits (currently in 11 states)
• Collection from bars, restaurants, and hotels
• Unused inventory
• In-house cullet at glass manufacturing plants

Glass Recycling and the Consumer

Today's consumers look for packaging that can be recycled—and is made from recycled material.

The Recycling “G” logo lets customers know that a product’s packaging is made from recycled glass-and can be recycled again.

It’s easy to use the Recycling “G” logo. There are no restrictions on the placement, size, or color. No permission is required for use.

continue to Section 3: Manufacturing