In 2020, O-I launched its first community glass recycling program in Perrysburg, Ohio, home to the Global Headquarters of the company. Since then, O-I’s efforts have expanded and the company now operates more than 20 glass recycling programs throughout the United States. These initiatives have sparked the enthusiasm and passion of communities and residents for glass recycling, leading to rapid growth in many of these programs.
This growth couldn’t be more timely, as O-I recently announced a bold new target: achieving an average of 60 percent recycled content in its packaging globally by 2030. These community programs are a crucial part of O-I’s strategy to reach this ambitious goal.
These creative and effective community recycling ecosystems not only increase the availability of recycled glass (cullet) for manufacturing but also keep glass out of the landfills. With the support of dedicated partners across the value chain, O-I is transforming the landscape of glass recycling in the USA, one glass bottle at a time.
Recycling glass bottles for good
Glass4Good™ is one of O-I’s most unique and successful glass recycling initiatives. By incentivising glass recycling through quarterly donations to local charitable organisations based on the weight of recycled glass, the positive impact of each glass bottle is maximised.
The initiative allows O-I to give back to the communities where its employees live and work, while fostering a commitment to keeping glass out of the landfills.
O-I’s aggressive sustainability goals
O-I is committed to achieving an average of 60 percent recycled content in their packaging by the end of this decade. Each community recycling programs brings O-I closer to reaching this ambitious goal. When O-I uses more recycled glass:
- Energy consumption is reduced
- Fewer raw materials are extracted and transported
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions
- Glass waste is kept out of landfills
O-I’s updated goals will also positively impact their customers. By aligning the company’s ambitions with those of their customers, it demonstrates an ongoing commitment to supporting sustainability objectives. This is sustainability in action.
Every bottle counts, every partnership matters and every action brings O-I closer to building a truly circular glass economy. And it all starts with one bottle.