Ardagh Group Supports Global Glass Packaging Recycling Initiatives

Ardagh Group is an ardent supporter of recycling across each of our manufactured materials. Our goal is to become the leading supplier of inherently sustainable packaging. For instance, our glass facilities in Dongen, the Netherlands and Massachusetts, USA, operate furnaces that use 90% recycled glass. This is regarded as a benchmark for glass production worldwide.

In support of our sustainability position, we have recently joined forces with our glass packaging trade associations in Europe (FEVE – European Container Glass Federation) and North America (GPI – Glass Packaging Institute) to draw attention to the benefits of glass recycling.

‘Endless Lives of Glass’ Campaign – Europe

Friends of Glass, a FEVE initiative of which Ardagh Group is a member, recently launched their ‘Endless Lives of Glass’ campaign to highlight the sustainability credentials of glass packaging.

The Pan-European campaign sees well-known comedians and comic actors give life to glass bottles on supermarket shelves, conversing with surprised shoppers in an effort to reinforce awareness of the boundless environmental attributes of glass packaging.

The ‘Endless Lives of Glass’ campaign highlights that as a permanent material, glass is infinitely recyclable – once produced it can be endlessly recycled and reused without any loss of quality. The unique environmental assets of glass ensure no waste, as well as less raw materials, energy consumption and pollution.

The campaign is already generating massive interest and engagement across the continent.

Click here to view the campaign videos.

Click here to learn more about the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) and here to learn more about Friends of Glass.

Glass Recycling Coalition – North America

The GPI recently announced the forming of the U.S Glass Recycling Coalition. Made up of members from across the entire glass supply chain – from glass manufacturers to consumer brands, waste haulers to recycling processors – this unique collaboration is the first of its kind in North America.

The aim of the coalition is to help create a dynamic, high-quality system for glass recycling in North America in a bid to make it a feasible option for everyone in the face of significant challenges. Current economic forces are making it difficult to recycle glass in North America at the present time. This issue, coupled with a number of municipalities deciding to remove glass from their curbside recycling programmes, is having a major negative impact on the availability of furnace-ready recycled glass (cullet) that can be used to produce new bottles and jars.

As a member of the coalition, Ardagh Group will play its part in working with other members to develop strategies to support municipalities with glass recycling decisions and establish a network of glass recycling resources.

Click here to learn more about the Glass Packaging Institute (GPI).