Glass: Balancing the Present
and the Future.
Lightweighting
Glass is endlessly refillable, reusable and recyclable. Made from plentiful natural resources. Almost the ultimate planet friendly product. However, when it concerns glass packaging, the industry knows it can do more. For example, lightweighting. Glass packaging manufacturers are developing thinner and lighter glass. That means less raw materials, less energy to produce and a reduced carbon footprint.
Small Acts Make a Big Difference
Even seemingly small acts can make a big difference. Like all the companies making a concerted effort to produce easier to recycle glass packaging. Including labels and adhesives that can easily be removed. Avoiding the use of multiple materials also helps.
Reusability is becoming increasingly popular in the food and beverage industry. Many companies are developing more practical or attractive jars and bottles, which can be reused as drinking glasses, or for other purposes. 2023 marks the beginning of the end for “wish-cycling”. In other words, throwing stuff out and hoping for the best.
Many of the big brands are making large and small strides in the right direction. Creditable mentions to The Body Shop, L’Occitane en Provence, and Stella McCartney. Even Coca-Cola is testing a refillable glass bottle program in Europe.
Some companies are introducing closed-loop systems. That means they use recycled glass to create new packaging, reducing the need for new raw materials and minimising waste.
The EU Introduces
New Laws
The EU also deserves a lot of credit for introducing new European laws concerning packaging, to reduce waste and promote sustainability. That includes banning many single-use plastic products. Also, EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) which will make producers responsible for the disposal of their products and packaging waste. The EU’s packaging waste directive has set targets for member states to recycle at least 65% of their packaging waste by 2025.
Glasmeister: Style and Sustainability
At Glasmeister we applaud the efforts by governments, authorities and the packaging industry itself to produce sustainable packaging. We specialise in glass packaging and are committed to sustainability and using environmentally friendly materials as much as possible to minimise our environmental impact. While still providing a luxurious and high-quality packaging experience for our customers.
GLASMEISTER is based in the Netherlands. If you would like to know more send us an email at: info@glasmeister.com.