GPI Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 11, 2024
Media Contact:
Angela Chiappetta, Squared Communications
ac@sqcomms.com
(203) 273-9859
Don’t Trash Glass Program Collaborates with Barton 1792 Distillery
Circular glass recycling program founded by Glass Packaging Institute and Glass King Recovery and Recycling Grows in Kentucky
BARDSTOWN, KY (November 11, 2024)— Don’t Trash Glass today announces a partnership with Kentucky’s own Barton 1792 Distillery, the oldest fully-operating distillery in Bardstown and a member of the Sazerac Company family, to recover glass bottles used in its bourbon production process and ensure that these materials are kept out of landfills and given a second life as new products. Don’t Trash Glass is a program created by the Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) and Glass King Recovery & Recycling aimed at encouraging more bars, restaurants, and local businesses to collect used glass bottles, to create a glass-to-glass process and to improve regional recycling rates.
“Barton 1792 is constantly evaluating opportunities to reduce waste, and we are excited to be a part of this initiative," said Lonny Bess, Barton 1792 Distillery Plant General Manager.
Last spring, the Don’t Trash Glass program launched in the state of Kentucky thanks to a partnership with Bulleit Frontier Whiskey (parent company Diageo). Glass bottles and containers are sorted and turned into cullet (furnace-ready recycled glass) for the bottle manufacturing plant to create a circular option for making new glass bottles.
“We rely on strong partners in this program,” said Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. “Through Sazerac’s partnership, we are helping them meet sustainability goals and lighten their waste costs by recycling glass bottles and containers used on-site in a regional, circular recycling solution,” said DeFife.
Don’t Trash Glass began in Phoenix, Arizona in 2018. A subsequent pilot program launched in 2021 in the Greater Chicago area. Once collected, bottles are temporarily stored to be processed by regional glass suppliers like Ardagh, aiming to keep this material out of landfills. The program expanded to Kentucky and Colorado in 2024.
“Our partners can see the impact of their commitment on local businesses and the circularity of bottles,” said Rose King, chief operating officer of Glass King Recovery & Recycling. “We look forward to signing on local businesses looking for glass recycling solutions,” said King.
To learn more about Don’t Trash Glass becoming a partner or a business, www.gpi.org/dont-trash-glass-program
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About Glass Packaging Institute
Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is the trade association representing the North American glass container industry. GPI promotes glass as the optimal packaging choice, advances environmental and recycling policies, advocates industry standards, and educates packaging professionals.
About Barton 1792 Distillery
Barton 1792 Distillery is an American family-owned company located in Bardstown, Kentucky. Named for the year Kentucky became a state, the Distillery was established in 1879 and continues today as the oldest fully-operating Distillery in the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” The Distillery is part of Barton Brands, which is owned by the Sazerac Company, one of the world’s largest distilled spirits companies with over 400 years of history. Situated in the heart of bourbon country on 196 acres, the Distillery boasts 29 barrel aging warehouses, 22 other buildings including an impressive still house, and the legendary Tom Moore Spring. 1792 Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey, as well as seven limited edition expressions, are produced at Barton 1792 Distillery. The Distillery has garnered a number of prestigious awards for its whiskies, including its 1792 Aged 12 Years winning a Master Medal at the 2024 American Whiskey Masters. To learn more about Barton 1792 Distillery, visit www.1792bourbon.com.