Glass Loves the Earth

We live in a wasteful society. Glass wants to change that. At Friends of Glass, we are constantly looking for opportunities to promote environmental awareness, which is why we took part in European Waste Reduction Week in 2013. Read more about this initiative and how glass helps our environment

Did you know that each year in the European Union alone, we throw away more than 3 billion tonnes of waste? That’s billions—with a ‘b’. Around 90 million tonnes of this waste is hazardous.  With so much waste, it’s clear that careful management and disposing of this waste, without damaging our environment, is a major concern for everyone.

That’s why the European Commission began an initiative in 2009 to promote awareness, and supportive action for, sustainable resources and waste management. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle is the mantra of this initiative, and it’s easy to see how using glass containers coincides perfectly with the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR).

One of the great things about glass is that it can be recycled again and again without losing its clarity or purity.  Making glass bottles and jar from recycled glass also helps to conserve energy. According to Wrap.org.uk, the energy you can save from recycling just ONE glass bottle will:

• Power a 100 watt light bulb for almost an hour
• Power a computer for 20 minutes
• Power a colour TV for 15 minutes
• Power a washing machine for 10 minutes
• Preserves raw materials and reduces CO2 emissions
• Using refillable glass water bottles and food containers also reduces the amount of packaging that you will throw away.

Make sure to visit the European Commission’s website about Waste Reduction Week to see what’s happening in your area, and what you can do to raise awareness about waste reduction.

What changes do you plan on applying to your life to help reduce your waste? Share with us on Facebook or tweet us at @FriendsofGlass

Why is wine stored in glass?

Glass bottles remain the best choice for wine lovers. New research showed that 94% of consumers in France prefer glass wine bottles over other packaging materials, such as bag-in-box. But why is it that we think of glass when we think of wine? Or why do we often store them horizontally? And are wine bottles sustainable?

What glass can you recycle?

More people than ever are recycling and we couldn’t be happier – as the glass industry, we love to be able to use recycled glass when we manufacture new containers. However, not all varieties can be used in production.

#EndlessCycle: How does recycling glass help protect the environment?

Have you ever wondered how glass is recycled? What happens to your used glass after you’ve put it into the bottle bank? The good news is that every single one of us can make a difference.