Food retailers and brand owners are being invited to take part in a
series of trials to lightweight glass containers. If successful, the
project could save 65,000 tonnes of glass and 48,000 tonnes of carbon
emissions by 2009 - the equivalent of taking 28,000 cars off the road.
GlassRite Food, a new project funded by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action
Programme) will promote the use of innovative lightweight glass
containers for food prolducts, soft drinks and flavoured alcoholic
beverages (FABs). The project is led by R& D Specialists Faraday
Packaging Partnership with support from both Glass Technology Services
(GTS) Ltd and trade association, British Glass. Several leading
manufacturers, including Allied Glass, O-I, Rockware Glass, Beatson
Clark and Quinn Glass, have already agreed to participate and the
project team is now calling on retailers and brand owners to sign up.
The project aims to save 20,000 tonnes of glass by its completion in
March 2008, and to roll-out the project results to create momentum for a
further 45,000 tonnes to be saved in the first year following the
project.
Container designs will be put through rigorous trials by GTS to test
their strength and practicality. Experts from the University of Wales,
Bangor, will conduct detailed consumer perception tests, while hi-tech
wireless sensors will be placed inside containers to assess performance
during handling, filling and packaging.
Nicola Jenkin from WRAP's retail innovation team said "GlassRite Food is
a tremendous opportunity for retailers and brand owners to explore and
trial the benefits of lightweight glass with a cross sector of industry
experts.
"With the food, FAB and soft drink sectors accounting for 34% of the
UK's total container glass use, even a moderate reduction in container
weight could deliver significant cost savings while reducing carbon
emissions and glass waste."
Dr Walter Lewis, Faraday Packaging Partnership Managing Director agrees,
saying, "By taking designs from the drawing board to the supermarket
shelf, GlassRite Food will provide important new insights into the
practical and commercial opportunities for lightweight containers.
Previous trials have shown that lightweight glass packaging can be
strong, practical and popular with consumers, while maintaining brand
identity."
Brand owners and retailers who want to find out more about GlassRite
Food should contact Nicola Jenkin in WRAP's Retail Innovation team on
01295 819609 or nicola.jenkin@wrap.org.uk
