Reduce, reuse and recycle. We all learned this familiar phrase as young children in grade school. Now, as adults, we adhere to these guidelines as environmentally responsible consumers. Recycling is at the heart of what we do, so BOB has some helpful tips on how you can make the commitment to be an environmental steward and recycle your beautiful glass beer bottles.

Why glass recycling is important
Glass is truly an amazing product, setting the environmental standard for packaging with its 400-year record of safety in the U.S. Glass is 100 percent infinitely recyclable, with no loss in quality or purity. Glass bottles that are recycled are turned into new glass containers, and glass bottles can go from the recycling bin to the store shelf in as little as 30 days! And, recycling glass has big environmental payoffs – saving raw materials, lessening demand for energy and reducing CO₂ emissions. Without recycling, we are harming our environment, CO₂ levels, manufacturing, job growth, the economy and international trade. It also results in more waste going into oceans and being ingested by sea life, thus even affecting our food chain.

Craft breweries are stewards of recycling
Although many parts of the U.S. struggle with local recycling programs, craft brewers can be part of the solution. Many breweries have worked to create strong glass recycling programs in their communities.

Before Ripple Glass, people in Kansas City threw away 150 million pounds of perfectly good glass each year, including millions of empty Boulevard beer bottles – lost forever, buried in local landfills – because there was no local recycling program or facility to process the glass.

With the support of local companies and community organizations, they came up with a solution – Ripple Glass. Ripple’s state-of-the-art processing facility and innovative metro-wide collection system has given a big lift to glass recycling throughout Kansas City and the entire region.

Check out the unique story of how Boulevard Brewing helped make glass recycling a priority.

Four ways your brewery can help
1. Help spread the word on social media about the importance of glass recycling.
2. Have labeled glass recycling bins available at your brewery.
3. Hold a recycling event at your facility, asking customers to bring recycled bottles in exchange for craft beer samples.
4. Work with local and state officials to make sure you have glass recycling bins and drop-off locations available in your community.

Advocating for glass recycling
The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) and the U.S. Glass Recycling Coalition are working to advance environmental and recycling policies and programs and build awareness on the benefits of glass recycling. With the support of these organizations, glass recycling rates will improve in the U.S.

Finding recycling in your area
Not sure where to recycle where you live? For a comprehensive list of recycling locations in your area, visit Earth911.

BOB knows how important environmental responsibility is to craft brewers. We hope that you will take steps to enhance glass recycling programs in your communities, as well as encourage your friends, neighbors and customers to recycle those beautiful glass beer bottles.

Cheers!
BOB