Commercial Glass Commercial Glass Container Recycling Container Recycling

Conni Kunzler, ConsultantGlass Packaging Institute

ABC Recycling WorkshopHickory, NCFebruary 15, 2007

The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is the trade association representing the North American glass container industry.

www.gpi.org

2006 (est.) U.S. Glass Container 2006 (est.) U.S. Glass Container Shipments By CategoryShipments By Category

Food 18%

6%Wine 5%

Flavored Alcoholic Beverages 4%Liquor

3%

8%

Beer 56%

75% of glass container shipments are for beverages

Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Cosmetics, Fragrances, Pharmaceuticals

49 U.S. Glass Container Manufacturing Plants49 U.S. Glass Container Manufacturing Plants

State # Per State

California 5

Indiana, Pennsylvania 4

Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, 3North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas

Colorado, Missouri, New York, Virginia 2

Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, 1Massachusetts , Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin

66 Cullet Processors in 25 states49 Glass Container Plants in 23 states

What is Glass?What is Glass?

Sand – 68%Soda Ash – 12% Limestone – 10%

What is Glass?What is Glass?

Cullet – Recycled glass used at levels as high as 80% when available

Benefits of Using QualityBenefits of Using Quality CulletCullet

Over a ton of natural resources are saved for every ton of glass recycled. Energy costs drop about 2-3% for every 10% cullet used in the manufacturing process. For every six tons of recycled container glass used, one ton of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is reducedBy weight, glass was one of the most recovered products in 2005—coming in at 2.76 million tons. Glass has an unlimited life, it can be recycled over and over again.

Challenges to Glass Container RecyclingChallenges to Glass Container Recycling

Availability– Uneven geographic dispersion of processing and

end-markets– Non-container end-use/diversion continues to

grow

Quality– Increase in single stream collection and

compaction

Cost– Raw materials remain inexpensive, abundant

OnOn--Premise Beverage ConsumptionPremise Beverage Consumption

On-premise consumption of beverages by weight is 18%.*Potential recovery by weight from on-premise locations is 21%.*Beverage packaging about 5% of all MSW.According to U.S. EPA, 25% of glass containers recycled in 2005.

*Beverage Packaging Environmental Council 2006 Study

Commercial/OnCommercial/On--Premise ProgramsPremise ProgramsGoal:

– Develop a consistent supply of high quality cullet from restaurants, bars, and hotels.

Practical problems:– Incentives to participate/local recycling priorities– Collecting glass and maintaining infrastructure– Economics for participating businesses– Location of glass container markets

GPI Resources:– Commercial glass recycling kit (print and online)– Web site and monthly e-newsletter highlight model

programs

Benefits of Commercial Benefits of Commercial Glass RecyclingGlass Recycling

Lower disposal costs Diverting glass containers to recycling can help lower waste collection costs. It also keeps this valuable resource out of landfills.

Environmental payoffs Glass is 100% recyclable. Recycling glass bottles and jars minimizes consumption of raw materials and lessens demand for energy.

Customer recognition Consumers expect glass to be included in a recycling program. It shows a business is committed to environmental stewardship.

Successful Program FeaturesSuccessful Program FeaturesMandatory business recycling – Requiring businesses to recycle makes commercial recycling a priority.

Collection infrastructure - A durable infrastructure for collecting recyclables from bars and restaurants improves participation and program sustainability.

The right economics - Program features that make recycling economical for businesses, including assistance from the city or county to develop a program, boosts participation.

Options for small businesses - Curbside service for smaller businesses or access to drop-off facilities allows them to be included.

GPI Commercial Glass Recycling KitGPI Commercial Glass Recycling Kit

Target audience:– Bars, restaurants, and

hotelsOther audiences:– Local recycling

officials– Recycling collection

companies

Commercial Glass Recycling KitCommercial Glass Recycling Kit

Kit Contents:- Steps to set up a commercial

glass recycling program- “Do’s and Don’ts” poster for

employees

Order/Download:- Recycling bin labels- “We Recycle Glass Bottles”

downloadable art- Worksheet to tally amount of

glass generated- Model programs in U.S.

communities

Bin SignageBin Signage

Signage for glass recycling bins

Customer RecognitionCustomer RecognitionDownloadable art to let customers know a bar/restaurant recycles glass bottles:– bottom of menus– table tents– coasters– napkins– window sticker– T-shirts, etc.

Fort Collins, COFort Collins, CO

Brown Bottle Recycling ProgramPartners

– City of Fort Collins– New Belgium Brewing Company– Rocky Mountain Bottle

Collection– About 15 businesses– Collected in 65 gallon polycarts– 2 tons/month

Fort Collins, COFort Collins, CO

New Belgium Brewing Ad Campaign– Features people who have

turned recycling, activism, or sustainable business, into a full time "folly" for a 2007 national print advertising campaign

Colorado Springs, COColorado Springs, COPartners

– Rocky Mountain Bottle– Independent hauler

Collection– 25-30 tons/month– Recycled bottles go back

into shipping boxes– Over 25 bars/restaurants

and Ft. Carson– Mostly brown glass; small

amount of green/clear separated out

– Hauler gets $50/ton delivered for amber glass

Athens County, GAAthens County, GAPartners

– Athens Clarke County Solid Waste Department

– Athens Downtown Development Authority

– About 550 commercial businessesCollection

– Over 128 tons of commingled bottles and cans in 2003

– Net cost to process recyclables $4.30/ton compared to $34/ton landfill

– Three mobile recycling stations/trailers are set out in three locations each evening

– 6-7 block area very dense (over 60 bars)

– Place in stations loose or clear bag

Orange County, NCOrange County, NCPartners

– Orange County– Over 100 restaurants

Collection– 40 tons/month of color-

separated glass bottles, cans, and plastic

– One restaurant recycles over 60% of its waste (about 24 tons of food and 26 tons of bottles and cans) to save about $3K/yr in waste hauling fees

Other Model ProgramsOther Model ProgramsSan Luis Obispo County, CA - 100 bars/restaurants; 1.7 million beverage containers/yrBoulder, CO - over 400 businesses; about 3,000 lbs. of commingled containers/dayHickory, NC - about 14 bars/restaurant; one ton of source separated glass/weekTacoma, WA - about 20 tons/month glass from 370 commercial generators in 2003

Choose Glass Choose Glass Recycle GlassRecycle Glass

www.gpi.orgwww.keepitorganic.org