The US Glass Packaging Institute (GPI), the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE), and the European Federation of Glass Recyclers (FERVER) released the following statement to thank all employees for their determination and commitment to keep glass manufacturing supplying essential industries during the COVID-19 pandemic, “The glass container industry, their staff and supply chain partners play essential roles on behalf of food, beverage, and pharmaceutical companies. To guarantee the effective supply of for-sale, in-store packaged food and beverages, the glass manufacturing industry must remain operational as ‘essential’ throughout the duration of the pandemic. A disruption to the food and beverage packaging industry would greatly impair the public’s ability to purchase food and beverages at their grocery store at a time when demand is up considerably, and those outlets remain vital to food security around the globe.”
In addition to the various measures that have always been implemented by the members of GPI, FEVE and FERVER to protect their employees and guarantee their safety, additional actions are being taken to ensure their health and well-being as the situation evolves. “Glass manufacturers both in the United States and the European Union work diligently to protect the safety and health of their employees while continuing to ensure the supply of new glass bottles and containers for the food, beverage, and pharma sectors. GPI, FEVE, and FERVER are closely following the guidelines and recommendations published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other relevant authorities and are monitoring the situation carefully. Employee safety is our first priority and paramount, especially during this uncertain time.”
In this context, the waste collectors and the recycling sector are also crucial to ensuring the continued supply of essential glass packaging for the food and beverage industries. Hence the importance of continuing to recycle glass packaging in the appropriate bins. The sourcing of local materials from recycling activities to produce new glass containers will continue to enable the industry to work locally and to maintain its production at a sustained level.
“The role of recycling in the supply chain of glass packaging is crucial. In North America, recycled glass content averages one-third of every new container (1), and in the EU, that content is 52% on average (2). Using recycled glass by leveraging local waste does not only reduce dependency on virgin raw materials but also contributes to both a more sustainable environment and economy. Glass recyclers and manufacturers need high-quality material in order to produce high-quality jars, bottles, and containers. We therefore encourage governments to continue their recycling programs especially during this critical time, so that glass manufacturers can remake new, safe products that support the global health system and our food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.”
“GPI, FEVE, and FERVER remain fully committed to glass manufacturing and recycling. Our organizations stand closely together to continue bringing glass bottles and containers from the factory to the table in this challenging time.”
(1) GPI – Precision Consulting
(2) FEVE – Life Cycle Assessment