Consumer choice – offering an alternative packaging solution

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Glass packaging is already

The BBC has once again highlighted the plight of our oceans and marine life in its latest documentary with science and wildlife presenter Liz Bonnin.

Social media was awash with shocked comments from the public following the upsetting scenes from the documentary Drowning in plastic showing the impact plastic is having on sea birds, sea creatures and marine ecosystems – with the shocking fact that over a third of all plastic in the oceans is from food and beverage packaging.

With more and more people becoming aware of the impact their packaging choices have on the planet, it is our job as an industry to educate and offer alternative packaging options for today’s consumer to help them to make sustainable choices.

A recent European-wide survey conducted by Friends of Glass found that 82% of Britons (78% Europeans) have recently noticed a change in their behaviour – having a greater awareness of the impact on the environment from their actions since concerns were raised about the problem of marine litter worldwide.

Glass packaging already has some good credentials:

  • 100% endlessly  recyclable back into new glass packaging
  • non-toxic
  • achieves a recycled content of up to 80%
  • 67% of glass in the UK is recycled – with the majority going back into the production of new glass packaging
  • At least 30% lighter than 20 years ago

Supporting consumers to make a positive choice for glass packaging, which is one of the most sustainable forms of packaging on the shelves, is one small but significant thing we can all do to take care of our oceans now and in the future.

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Iceland twitter

Retailers and brands are aleady joining the conversation and setting ambitious goals to reduce their use of plastic packaging with the likes of Iceland Foods (pictured) commiting to use “safe and plastic free alternatives" – giving consumers a greater choice and control of what they buy.

 


British Glass is creating a suite of resources about bottles and jars for people working with glass packaging.

The Glass-pack guides are for those interested in:

  • Improving packaging sustainability

  • Selling packed products

  • Selecting and procuring packaging

These standalone pieces will provide an overview of the essential facts on each topic that enable those working with glass packaging to make decisions based on sound information, in turn helping them to meet their objectives and save time, effort and money.

The first two guides, Maximising recyclability of glass packaging and Recycled content in glass packaging will be available soon.

Register your interest in our Glass-pack guides to receive your free copies when they are released.