News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2009


Contact: Kristen LeKander
Kristen@Lindberggrp.com
(703) 778 - 7644


“Little Bottle” Helps Kick Off Recycle Glass Week with Animated PSA
Activities throughout the week, September 21 - 27, to include over 50 Nationwide Glass Container Recycling Events, Friends of Glass Recognition, and more

Alexandria, Virginia, September 10, 2009 - The Glass Packaging Institute kicks off Recycle Glass Week, September 21 - 27, 2009. To help launch the event, “Little Bottle,” the event’s mascot, is now appearing in a short public service announcement (PSA) to create recycling awareness. (Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTW9xqcb2Uw or http://www.gpi.org/ to view the PSA.) “Little Bottle” is one of the stars of Saint-Gobain Containers’ 15-minute animated feature, “The Adventures of Captain Cullet and The Little Gob o’ Glass: A Story of Hope and Recycling,” created last year for use in schools with third and fourth grade school-age children.

“We’re gearing up for great nationwide events to celebrate and encourage glass container recycling,” says GPI president, Joseph Cattaneo. “Thanks to ‘Little Bottle’ for helping to spread the word about Recycle Glass Week and create recycling awareness.”

Throughout the week, GPI and its member companies will hold over 50 events and activities to promote recycling awareness in 22 states across the country. Visit the GPI website at www.gpi.org for an event near you. Activities will be added daily as Recycle Glass Week approaches.

Recycle Glass Week 2009 starts with four chances to meet “Little Bottle” in New York City. People can recycle with Little Bottle at the Madison Square Park Concert Series on two dates; Saturday, September 19th and Saturday, September 26th. “Little Bottle” will also be making an appearance outside the Today Show at Rockefeller Plaza on Monday, September 21st. He will also be on the streets of NYC on Sunday, September 20th for photo ops with passersby.

Later in the week, on Wednesday, September 23rd, GPI recognizes its “Friends of Glass,” those companies, organizations and people making significant and innovative efforts to recycle glass containers and create glass-recycling awareness. Get ready for the Clear Choice Awards announcement on Tuesday, September 22nd, and see which glass package designs reign supreme for 2009. On Thursday, September 24th, GPI will announce the winners of its 2009 Recycle Glass University Student YouTube Competition.

“Consumers continue to ask for ways they can reduce their impact on the environment, and through Recycle Glass Week, we are pleased to offer people many opportunities to participate in glass recycling activities as one way they can save energy,” says Cattaneo.

Creating more awareness about the environmental benefits of glass container recycling, GPI members hope to help the glass container industry reach a nationwide goal of 50 percent recycled content in the manufacture of new glass bottles and jars by 2013. Doubling the U.S. glass container recycling rate (28 percent in 2007) would allow manufacturers to use 50 percent recycled glass to make new glass containers, saving enough energy to power 21,978 homes for one year and removing 181,550 tons of waste from landfills every month.

Today, glass is the proven form of packaging for those who are looking for sustainability, purity, and recyclability. Glass is made from all-natural, sustainable raw materials and it can be recycled again and again without loss of quality or purity. Reuse of post-consumer recycled glass containers minimizes consumption of raw materials, lessens the industry’s demand for energy, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information on upcoming Recycle Glass Week activities and events, please go to www.gpi.org.


The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is the trade association representing the North American glass container industry. Through GPI, glass container manufacturers speak with one voice to advocate industry standards, promote sound environmental policies and educate packaging professionals. www.gpi.org


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