Opening ceremony kicks off International Year of Glass celebrations
Delegates from across the world, including British Glass’ Technical Director Dr Nick Kirk, have gathered for the opening ceremony of the International Year of Glass in Geneva.
Over 30 speakers from across academia and the wider glass industry will gather at the UN Palace of Nations over the next two days (10 and 11 February) to discuss the latest innovations, scientific insights and glass’ place in a sustainable future to mark the beginning of the yearlong festivities.
The Year of Glass has been awarded by the UN to mark the vital role glass has played and continues to play on our society, acknowledging its many applications and the vastly different sectors that make up the global glass industry.
British Glass Technical Director Dr Nick Kirk said:
“It’s a pleasure to attend such a prestigious event for our industry to represent the UK glass industry and begin the celebrations of our unique industry.
“Glass has always been a key part of our everyday lives, from food and drinks packaging to windows that bring light into our homes and the screens on our phones and laptops, and it will remain that way as we move forward to a more sustainable future with the glass sector leading the way in decarbonisation.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to show why our industry and the material it produces is so great and I look forward to what we have ahead of us for the rest of 2022.”
As efforts to build a truly sustainable future accelerate, glass is an ideal packaging for adopting sustainable production and consumption patterns including reuse and recycling. Vitaliano Torno, President of the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) and O-I Glass’ President of Business Operations & O-I Europe, commented:
“We have a unique opportunity to celebrate glass. Glass is endlessly recyclable, guarantees quality and safety no matter how many times it’s recycled and it’s virtually inert.
“It’s the healthy choice, beautiful, it builds brands, and it is loved by people of all generations. That’s what makes it the perfect choice for brands, retailers and consumers alike.”
Representing the International Year of Glass Council, Professor John Parker from the University of Sheffield commented:
“Whether you’re a brand looking to make your product stand out or a consumer keen to celebrate an iconic material, 2022 is the year to recognise glass for its many proven credentials and build on a longstanding cultural heritage for example by advancing its contribution to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“Europe enjoys the world’s highest glass recycling rates, and significant progress has been made in glass manufacturing in recent years to increase sustainable production and consumption.
“There is further potential to progress towards a climate-neutral Circular Economy, by moving to renewable energies and advancing the sustainable use of natural resources. This all starts with encouraging more people to choose and recycle glass, to appreciate its recycling and reuse as an inherent part of our future consumption patterns, and to do it right, so that more glass ends back in new production loops.”
