Suggestions For a Successful Glass Bottle Bill for Washington Tom Mabie Western U.S. Counsel Glass Packaging Institute April 8, 2014
The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is the trade association representing the North American glass container industry. 12 member manufacturers 34 associate member supplier companies Glass Packaging Institute
50 U.S. Glass Container Manufacturing Plants in 23 States State# Per State Pennsylvania 6 California 5 Indiana 4 Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, 3 North Carolina, Oklahoma Colorado, Missouri, New York, Virginia, Texas 2 Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, 1 Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin
Discussion Topics Who Is GPI? Characteristics of Glass Why A Bottle Bill? Classic Bottle Bill Issues
WHAT IS GLASS? SAND – 68% SODA ASH – 12% LIMESTONE – 10%
WHAT IS GLASS? CULLET – Recycled Glass used at levels as high as 70% when available
Glass is “GRAS” pure and simple: Glass is the only mass-produced packaging material to be recognized by the Food & Drug Administration as “generally regarded as safe” (GRAS). LimestoneSoda AshSand Heat to 2800° F (1538 ° C) Glass Containers Cullet
Environmental Benefits of Using Recycled Glass Over a ton of natural resources saved for every ton of glass recycled Energy costs drop about 2-3% for every 10% cullet used in the manufacturing process Reduces furnace emissions 15% - 20% Using six tons of recycled container glass equals one ton of carbon dioxide reduced Glass has an unlimited life; can be recycled again and again
Closed Loop Glass Recycling High-quality cullet = New glass bottles and jars =
Why a Bottle Bill? Because they Work! Much Higher Recycled Volume Much Higher Quality Material
Classic Bottle Bill Challenges Administrative Costs Infrastructure Costs Unredeemed Deposits (Escheats) Fraud
Administrative Costs Distributors Recyclers Processors State Agency Administration
Infrastructure Costs Who Takes Back the Containers and Pays Redemption to Consumers? Retailers? (Political Opposition) Private Recyclers? (Number and Location?) Quasi-Governmental Agency?
Unredeemed Deposits (Escheats) Who Keeps the Money? Distributors or State? Get This Right Because the Politics Are Near Impossible Later
California – A Cautionary Tale California’s Success Story: Aggregate Container Recycling Rate of 82%+ since 2010 Convenience – At Least 1 Buy Back Center Within ½ mile of Every Supermarket Huge Reductions in Litter
California – A Cautionary Tale California’s Dark Side 28 Years of Nearly Annual Legislative Battles Enormously Complex Program With Too Many Moving Parts Structurally Insolvent
Choose Glass Recycle Glass