Recycle Glass Week gets underway

The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is teaming up with Keep America Beautiful Inc. (KAB) to promote GPI’s Recycle Glass Week and KAB’s America Recycles Day, which is a nationally recognized day for community-driven initiatives dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the U.S.

“GPI is delighted to partner with such an extraordinary organization to advance recycling in communities across the country,” says Joseph Cattaneo, president of GPI. “Keep America Beautiful’s America Recycles Day and GPI’s Recycle Glass Week are two great events that share a common purpose: educating consumers about the environmental benefits of recycling and encouraging action.”

Adds Matthew M. McKenna, president and CEO of KAB, “Uniting our resources, networks, and constituents to promote recycling helps amplify our shared message. Recycling is the easiest thing that any individual or organization can do to save energy, protect our treasured natural resources, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And it has never been more important.”

During GPI’s second annual Recycle Glass Week, September 12 to 18, communities across the U.S. will unite with glass container manufacturers, suppliers, and recyclers, to hold local activities and events to build awareness and boost glass bottle recycling.

“Consumers who recycle glass bottles and jars make a difference,” says Cattaneo. “Their efforts count. Glass is endlessly recyclable, and there are big energy savings when recovered glass is used to make new bottles. We hope these Recycle Glass Week events will call attention to the value of glass container recycling and ultimately help us reach the goal of using 50-percent recycled glass in the manufacture of new containers by the end of 2013.”

Since its inception in 1997, communities across the country have participated in America Recycles Day on November 15th to promote environmental citizenship, educate, and encourage action. Through America Recycles Day, KAB and its partners work to empower communities to directly engage their residents in the act of recycling.

During Recycle Glass Week, GPI will also announce the 2010 Clear Choice Awards winners and will recognize Friends of Glass, those organizations or persons that recycle glass or promote the recycling of glass.