Environmental Commitment

O-I is committed to sustainable packaging solutions that are safe, recyclable, non-toxic and add value to both people and the environment. Our approach will enable us to sustain our business in all economic regions of the world, for present and future generations, while protecting the consumer and the environment.

We realize that caring for the environment is the responsibility of everyone working within the organization and we will actively encourage all individuals to be environmentally responsible.

We take measurable actions to reduce our impact on the environment, while supplying quality products that are pure, safe, healthy and infinitely recyclable to our customers.  O-I has implemented a program of continuous improvement appropriate to the nature, scale and location of its activities, products and services.

Glass’ Sustainability

Glass is beneficial, safe and healthy for individuals and communities throughout its life cycle.  It is made from materials that are safe in all probable end-of-life scenarios and it has been a trusted package for more than 3,000 years of human experience.  And it is the only packaging material to be generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

Further, glass is the only true “cradle-to-cradle” or endlessly recyclable product.  Once glass is sorted, it remains the most easily processed and most readily recycled container.  Even when recycled again and again, the quality, purity and clarity of glass does not deteriorate. 

Used bottles can be reused to make new bottles forever.  For example, a bottle can go from a curbside recycling box, through the recycling stream and re-made into a new bottle and on a store shelf in as little as 30 days

Recycling

In communities around the globe, O-I provides outreach and support in setting up recycling programs.  These programs result in decreased consumption of raw materials, reduced emissions and improved energy conservation. 

O-I plays a vital role in U.S. recycling as an active supporter of the Keep America Beautiful Foundation and the National Recycling Coalition.  As early as 1973, O-I received Business Week's National Award for Business Citizenship and was cited for having some of the cleanest glass factories in the nation and leading the industry in glass recycling.  Today O-I is the largest user of recycled glass containers in the United States, with nearly a million tons recycled annually.