WE’RE
ALL GLASS
RECYCLING
This message is at the heart of
FT578
the Glass Packaging Forum
(GPF), which aims to ensure
as many glass bottles and jars as
possible are kept out of landfill and
recycled back at New Zealand’s only
container glass manufacturer, O-I
New Zealand.
As with any waste stream, there
are challenges when it comes
to collection, aggregation and
transport. Identifying these
challenges and then finding solutions
is another key area of focus for the
GPF, as is creating opportunities for
innovative uses for glass that cannot
be recycled. Tackling these issues is
GPF scheme manager 3R Group, a
specialist in resource recovery and
product stewardship.
The Forum has given out more than
$2.4 million in grants which fund
logistics, infrastructure, research
and events that help keep glass
out of landfill. Funds for the grants
are generated through levies paid
by more than 100 members of
the Forum. If you have an idea to
help your business or organisation
improve its glass recycling, but are
unsure whether you’d be eligible for
a grant, get in touch or complete
a simple application form: bit.ly/
GlassGrants.
Find out what happens to your
glass bottles and jars when they
leave the kerbside: Watch
bit.ly/GlassRecyclingVideo
Infinitely recyclable
The recyclability of glass makes it
an excellent example of the circular
economy in action: glass bottles
and jars are made, used and then
collected, colour-sorted and returned
to the furnace to be remade into new
containers. As a result, the value of
the glass is maximised rather than
wasted.
The furnace also uses less energy
when processing recycled glass,
which means reduced carbon
emissions and less reliance on virgin
materials. Recycling glass also
GLASS
There is no reason glass bottles and jars should end up
in landfill…not when you consider they are completely
recyclable and can be recycled time and time again,
without losing quality or purity.
creates jobs to collect, colour-sort
and transport it, further adding to its
overall value.
If you want to improve outcomes for
glass in your business but are finding
obstacles in the way, the GPF would
love to connect with you to find a
solution.
Visit www.glassforum.org.nz.
a Clear Solution
36 ANNUAL DIRECTORY 2019
/www.glassforum.org.nz
