Glass Facts & Statistics

General Knowledge

Glass Education [offsite]

Basic information from the Glass Packaging Institute.

Statistical Data and Research

Searching for a quick statistic, graph or table?
Find it in the data archive.

Need more in-depth information about glass bottle sales and recycling in any or all of the United States? Consider requesting a Beverage Market Data Analysis.

Glass Life Cycle Assessments

Complete Life Cycle Assessment of North American Container Glass

A cradle-to-cradle life cycle analysis of glass conducted by the Glass Packaging Institute in 2010.
Learn more | Download report [pdf,5.47MB]

Glass Life Cycle Analysis

A 2010 analysis by Owens-Illinois of the carbon emissions produced during each phase in the glass life cycle.
Learn more | Download report [pdf,2Mb]

Life Cycle Inventory of Soft Drinks in Glass, Aluminum, and PET

A 2009 study of glass, aluminum, and PET soft drink containers found PET bottles produced less solid waste, less greenhouse gas emission, and used less energy than the other two container types. The study covered production of the containers and end-of-life uses, but did not include data on post-fabrication transportation to the filling site, filling, distribution, storage, retail use and consumer use.
More info | Download report [pdf, 484kb]

 

Additional Tools

Need more in-depth information about glass beverage container sales and recycling in any or all of the United States? Consider requesting a Beverage Market Data Analysis.

Glass Recycling in the News

Articles on glass recycling, sourcing CRI

Issues

Refillable Glass Bottles

Glass Recycling and Bottle Bills

A glass packaging professional's letter to his senators