Glass packaging recycling received a welcome boost in October 2009 when research from WRAP, the UK“s recycling organization, showed that using mixed-colour recycled glass containers would not stop cu…
Glass packaging recycling received a welcome boost in October 2009 when research from WRAP, the UK“s recycling organization, showed that using mixed-colour recycled glass containers would not stop customers from buying a wide range of products. WRAP and UK supermarket chain Sainsbury“s worked together to find out if consumers would accept packaging with a slightly green hue, which comes from the blending of different colours in the remelt, in place of a clear glass one. The research was carried out by Glass Technology Services, a subsidiary of British Glass, which demonstrated that in most cases, using a container with 90% mixed-colour content did not have a detrimental effect on the purchase decision. Some 79 people took part in the study, which showed that the only product that was categorically preferred in clear glass was mayonnaise. While pasta sauces were rated as more appetizing in the clear glass, participants actually preferred the jam jar that contained a large amount of mixed-colour recyclate. WRAP is now working on a large-scale trial to manufacture bottles that will use at least 30,000 tonnes of mixed-colour cullet, as well as researching demand from retailers for containers made from mixed-colour recycled glass.