Alexandria, Va., — Nearly 94 percent of Americans know recycling is good for the environment and nearly 60 percent correctly identify glass as part of sustaining a healthy lifestyle, according to a recent survey commissioned by the Glass Packaging Institute and Doyle Yoon, a professor at Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Oklahoma.

The survey results are being released as part of Recycle Glass Week, Sept. 21 through Sept. 27, a national awareness week to encourage consumers to recycle more glass bottles and jars. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percent.

"There is a high correlation between what people think about recycling and their actions," the professor said.  "If a person thinks recycling is good for the environment, they are 83 percent more likely to recycle."

Women most likely to recycle

Women ages 40 to 60 with incomes over $25,000 a year are among the most likely to recycle. They believe recycling is important, and they actually recycle. People who recycle are also five times more likely to seek products in recyclable packaging.

Of those households that recycle, 82 percent recycle glass bottles. When consumers were asked which containers are most "environmentally friendly," 22 percent said glass bottles and jars, while 27 percent answered paper containers.  Only 8 percent chose plastic bottles; 9.5 percent chose bag-in-box containers.

"It is clear from the poll that Americans want to pitch in and recycle. We hope Recycle Glass Week will encourage consumers to recycle glass bottles and jars in their communities, along with other packaging materials. This will help reduce the amount of recyclable materials entering landfills and help create a ‘greener' future," says Joseph Cattaneo, president of GPI. "When you recycle glass containers, you save raw materials, help to reduce the amount of energy needed to manufacture new glass bottles and jars, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Every bottle counts."

Glass recycles over and over

Most consumers (78 percent) also know glass bottles and jars can be recycled back into the same package again and again. And, consumers know glass is pure. Nearly 60 percent of consumers believe glass packaging is "best suited to a healthy lifestyle." And while 83 percent of consumers think plastic containers have added chemicals, only 11 percent think glass does.

"Glass containers can be recycled again and again without loss of quality or purity," says Cattaneo. "Every time you recycle a glass bottle or jar, you help to save energy and our planet. Glass is good for your health and for the health of the planet."

No synthetic chemicals

In fact, there are no synthetic additives or chemicals in glass containers at all. Made from all-natural resources-sand, soda ash, limestone, and recycled glass-and with a 400-year record of safety, glass is the only packaging material "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) by the FDA for food and beverage contact.

During Recycle Glass Week, GPI will encourage consumers to recycle more glass containers in order to help U.S. glass container manufacturers reach the goal of using 50 percent cullet in the manufacture of new glass bottles and jars by 2013. GPI and its member companies will be holding over 50 events across the country during Recycle Glass Week, creating awareness about the benefits of choosing and recycling glass. Check out www.gpi.org for more on Recycle Glass Week activities and events in your area.

A survey of 750 Americans was conducted by telephone in July 2009 by Newton Marketing Research, Norman, Oklahoma, in conjunction with Professor Doyle Yoon, PhD Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Oklahoma, with a Margin of error of +/- 3.7% (survey facts).

The Glass Packaging Institute 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.

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