The Legislative Front

Glass container manufacturers are accelerating their support of legislative and regulatory measures that have the potential to improve glass recycling systems. This includes engaging with policymakers to improve and build on state beverage deposit programs. While current laws and deposit amounts differ, all tend to improve the quality of glass collected for recycling and increase the percentage of containers going to bottle-to-bottle recycling. This year, nearly all of the 11 states with existing container deposit legislation are looking to either expand the types of containers collected through these programs or increase the deposit amount to encourage participation.

Glass manufacturers are also interested in seeing more glass containers recycled in high-quality programs, such as source separated residential and commercial collection systems. For example, they supported bar/restaurant recycling legislation proposed in Maryland earlier this year, which was similar to North Carolina's ABC law. HB 249, a tax credit to assist ABC permit holders in complying with North Carolina's law requiring them to recycle beverage containers, also is being advocated.

Nationally, the GPI and its members are working with congressional offices to establish better systems for collecting high-quality cullet. Glass container manufacturers hope to establish incentives for glass recycling as part of upcoming climate change legislation. This includes providing incentives for companies that use recycled content in their manufacturing process, thereby reducing emissions.

Public Education and Outreach

The latest EPA report shows the national glass recycling rate jumped to 28.1 percent in 2007, up three percentage points from 2006 (25.3 percent). It is estimated that 3.2 million tons of glass were recovered in 2007, compared to 2.9 million in 2006. For glass beer and soft drink bottles, the rate was 34.5 percent, a boost from 30.7 percent in 2006. In states with container deposit legislation, rates are much higher. In California, for example, the glass recycling rate averages more than 70 percent.

To maintain this momentum and accommodate the dramatic slowdown in the sale of most recyclable materials worldwide, the GPI issued a statement last year emphasizing the industry's need for more recycled glass containers. Cullet is typically recycled domestically and is not subject to worldwide market pressures. According to a study by O-I, the world's largest manufacturer of glass containers for food and beverages, the demand for quality cullet in North America exceeds the current availability by approximately 1 million tons. The GPI continues to encourage all Americans to recycle their glass bottles and jars.

Joe Cattaneo is president of the Washington-based Glass Packaging Institute.

Want to Know More?

Joe Cattaneo will speak at the “Glass and Metal Recycling: A Market Outlook” session at WasteExpo on Monday, June 8 as part of the Recycling Track. The session runs from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Bill Heenan, president of the Pittsburgh-based Steel Recycling Institute, will be the other speaker.

The session focuses on taking advantage of the best commodity markets. Cattaneo and Heenan will discuss fluctuating markets, trends, and policies for glass and metal recycling.

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