Ardagh Glass Packaging-North America (AGP-North America), a division of Ardagh Group, has partnered with the Don’t Trash Glass programme on glass recycling in Chicago, US.

This collaboration aims to expedite recycling efforts and increase the use of recycled content in the production of glass bottles in Chicago and beyond.

By collaborating with Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) and Glass King Recovery & Recycling, Don’t Trash Glass is driving a campaign to motivate restaurants, bars and local businesses to segregate used glass bottles from general waste.

The goal is to repurpose these bottles into new ones and elevate regional recycling rates.

AGP-North America president and CEO Brian Brandstatter said: “Ardagh is an advocate for recycling initiatives that ensure a source of high-quality recycled glass, such as the Don’t Trash Glass programme.

"The partnership symbolises our commitment to improving regional glass collection and recycling while advancing the circularity of glass bottles.”

In 2021, the Don’t Trash Glass pilot programme commenced within the Greater Chicago area.

Under this programme, bottles are collected, temporarily stored, processed, and then supplied to regional manufacturers such as Ardagh, helping to divert glass from landfills. 

In Illinois alone, the programme gathered 2.2 million pounds of glass from various establishments in collaboration with Diageo North America last year.

The collected glass bottles and containers were sorted and transformed into cullet and used by Ardagh's production facilities to create new glass packaging.

Following its success in Chicago, the initiative has expanded into Kentucky among other locations.

GPI president Scott DeFife said: “Through Ardagh’s partnership, we are capitalising on an untapped source of glass bottles from bars and restaurants to manufacture new bottles within the same region.”

Last month, AGP-North America expanded its product range with the introduction of a new 500ml Celebration bottle in flint glass.