2023: New Year, New Opportunities for Glass

If you’re working on New Year’s resolutions, you’re not alone — state legislatures, agencies and even the federal government will soon be considering bills and implementing approved laws aimed at improving glass recycling, and recognizing its value as an infinitely-recyclable packaging material. The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) will be here throughout the year to break it down for you. 

Fortunately, for all of us, the federal government finally funded grants programs to improve recycling, in recognition of its critical infrastructure for community development and environmental improvement. But states are now implementing these changes in differing ways — and there’s some friction about which is best. Keep reading to find out how this is creating an opportunity for glass to continue meeting its potential as a sustainable, infinitely-recyclable option. 

Currently, four states have enacted Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging and paper: Maine, Oregon, California, and Colorado. These states could not be more different from one another, and the next round of debates will help shape which, if any, model gains momentum.  

At the Glass Packaging Institute, this is—as the kids say—kind of our thing. So, GPI has identified key areas for glass for our members and for consumers more broadly. These issues come up in every debate, and we have highlighted additional policy areas that can and should be considered to support stronger performance of glass recycling within U.S. EPR discussions.

Defining Key Terms

First, we’ve got to make sure everyone’s on the same page about how key terms are being defined. Is “packaging” being defined as just primary packaging—like cups, bottles, etc.— or does it include secondary packaging (cases of bottles) and tertiary packaging (the shipping wrap)? This has implications for how deep into the supply chain these regulations may go. 

Finding agreement about definitions is even more important when it comes to what counts as “recycling” and what doesn’t for the purposes of EPR legislation. For example: over the years the waste and hauling industry has lobbied heavily for the use of glass as landfill cover to count as recycling. GPI has been successful in pushing back against this practice by pointing out that sending glass to the landfill is definitionally the opposite of recycling. As a result, in new EPR laws, landfill cover does not count as recycling. This is vital because the landfill is often the biggest competitor to where glass goes other than being recycled. Establishing clear, accurate, and agreed-upon definitions of terms like this isn’t just a way to avoid confusion—it’s a substantive means of making sure people can’t undermine EPR laws by finessing the meaning of the term “recycling.”

Establishing Clear Targets

Next, states should stay on target — by establishing and meeting clear targets for reuse, reduction, and recycling of packaging materials. When it comes to glass, GPI encourages officials to set realistic goals for what percentage of glass should be recycled and not tie all materials to the same standards. We also encourage states to recognize the need for a collection and rewash infrastructure necessary for reuse goals, and which likely requires a deposit return scheme (a.k.a. “Bottle bill”), such as in 10 states that operate these programs. 

As agencies ramp up their efforts to comply with new regulations around packaging—and as companies get ready to meet new state regulations—GPI will be here to distill key information for policymakers, industry professionals, and consumers. It’s a big year for package recovery reform, as half a dozen new states begin to consider comprehensive recycling legislation. Stay tuned for analysis, takeaways and best practices from GPI. 

Over the course of the year there will be much more to cover in this area and we plan regular updates in this space. Happy New Year!

––

The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is the trade association representing the North American glass container industry. On behalf of glass container manufacturers, GPI promotes glass as the optimal packaging choice, advances environmental and recycling policies, advocates industry standards, and educates packaging professionals. Follow GPI on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for updates on all things glass. Learn more at www.gpi.org.