GPI’s Recycle Glass Week was a resounding success

The Glass Packaging Institute’s (GPI) second-annual Recycle Glass Week, held September 12 to 18, united communities across the United States with glass container manufacturers, suppliers, and recyclers around local events to build awareness and boost glass bottle recycling.

During the week, Saint-Gobain Containers educated elementary school students about the importance of choosing and recycling glass in 10 states and continue to reach out to kids across the country through their new virtual Captain Cullet program. Saint-Gobain Containers and Green Broad Ripple Village in Indianapolis, Indiana, also organized the drop off of 100 glass container recycling bins for Broad Ripple bars and restaurants.

In Salem, New Jersey, and Winchester, Indiana, Anchor Glass Container organized collection drives for glass bottles and jars. Community members also gathered in Muskogee, Oklahoma for O-I’s glass container collection event, and in Houston, Texas, residents rallied during We CAN Recycle Inc’s first-ever G-Cycle glass container collection event.

An online virtual scavenger hunt with chances to win iPod shuffles, t-shirts, cash and more, was launched to build excitement for GPI’s Recycle Glass Week. The hundreds of consumers who participated were able to learn about the environmental payback when they recycle glass bottles and jars.

For the second time as a part of Recycle Glass Week, GPI recognized six “Friends of Glass” in four categories. This recognition honors those companies, organizations and persons making significant and innovative efforts to promote or participate in glass container recycling for bottle-to-bottle use.

The 2010 Friends of Glass honorees are Container Recycling Institute; MGM Resorts International; We CAN Recycle Inc.; Boulevard Brewing Company, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, and LiDestri.

GPI honored 10 consumer products goods companies for expanding the frontiers of glass package design with its 21st annual Clear Choice Awards. The winning package designs demonstrate that glass continues to be the “clear choice” for consumers who want a package that offers a premium look and feel and also protects the products they are buying. The Boston Beer Company took the prize for overall package design with their Samuel Adams Barrel Room Collection.