After the United Nations announced that 2022 is the International Year of Glass, packaging company Ardagh Glass Packaging (AGP) joins in a network of stakeholders and businesses in commemorating the role of glass packaging in particular, in a sustainable society. The company is joined by The International Commission on Glass (ICG), the Community of Glass Associations (CGA) and ICOM-Glass.

This year-long event aims to emphasise the scientific, economic and cultural importance of glass and its beneficial contribution to society, particularly in achieving sustainability. Today, glass packaging in particular is made from 100% natural and sustainable raw materials such as limestone, soda ash, silica sand and recycled glass.

In general, glass is infinitely recyclable, making it a great material to incorporate in a circular economy. It is also the only widely-used food packaging with a GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) status, the highest standard given by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

AGP’s product portfolio includes glass bottles and jars that are made with recycled glass (cullet), and up to 90% recycled content in the manufacturing process in Europe. Its eight facilities across the U.K. and the U.S. are already using renewable electricity. Further, its North America group has also diverted 100% of non-hazardous oily debris from its facilities’ landfill to be used in energy recovery and alternative use

“AGP is a leading supplier of sustainable, infinitely recyclable glass packaging, that plays a key role in the circular economy,” said Mike Dick, Chief Commercial Officer for Ardagh Group. “In this IYOG, AGP is focused on product and process innovations, as well as working on breakthrough projects which will help to achieve our 2030 sustainability targets outlined in Ardagh Group’s latest Sustainability Report.”

“These targets include zero waste to landfill, a 26% intensity reduction in water usage, a 23% intensity reduction in NOx emissions, a transition to 100% renewable electricity and maximizing the use of recycled glass in our furnaces. We are also aligned with the Science Based Targets Initiative for Greenhouse Gas emissions and are committed to delivering CO2 reduction through a continued focus on developing lower carbon glass packaging via both new and existing technologies.”