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PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Mary Ann Remolador, maryann@nerc.org
Date: January 11, 2022

NERC Releases Model Glass Minimum Post-Consumer Recycled Content Legislation

The Glass Minimum Post-Consumer Recycled Content Model Legislation has been published by the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC). 

Over the past eight months, a diverse group of stakeholders representing government, industry, trade associations, and non-profits, collaborated to develop Model Legislation for minimum post-consumer recycled content requirements in glass food and beverage containers, and fiberglass insulation.  The Model Legislation is intended for use by legislators as a starting point for legislation that would require the use of post-consumer cullet— glass that has been processed to remove contaminants and is furnace ready—in certain products sold in their state.

The main goals of the Model Legislation are to incentivize markets for recycled glass, improve the economics of recovering glass, and reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing.  The Model Legislation promotes the expanded use of post-consumer cullet in manufacturing new products, motivates development of markets for post-consumer cullet, and reduces the amount of glass that would be treated as waste.

“Glass is a highly recyclable material, and states have consistently heard from stakeholders that markets for post-consumer glass must be strengthened to help develop more demand for this feedstock,” stated Chris Nelson, Supervising Environmental Analyst of the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.  “The post-consumer recycled content standards for new glass products proposed in this model legislation are one tool to help create more robust markets for glass recovered through recycling programs.”  

A national Work Group of more than 60 members was convened by NERC. A consensus-based process was used to develop the Model Legislation. Public comment was invited and was considered by the Work Group. Work Group members included: 

  • Brands
  • Glass Container Manufacturers
  • Fiberglass Insulation Manufacturers
  • Glass Recyclers/Beneficiators
  • Industry Associations
  • Distributors and Retailers
  • Haulers and Material Recycling Facility Operators
  • State Environmental Agencies and Authorities
  • State Recycling Organizations
  • Environmental Advocacy Groups

“Anheuser-Busch has a longstanding history of environmental stewardship and has committed to having 100% of our packaging made from majority recycled content or be returnable by 2025,” said Ed Ferguson, Director of Sustainability at Anheuser-Busch. “We know that true circularity requires collaboration across supply chains, government and consumers and we hope this model legislation can help create solutions to reduce glass waste, support the circular economy, and build a future with more cheers.”

The Work Group Chairs that led the discussions were Chris Nelson, Supervising Environmental Analyst of the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection; and Stephen Burm, Director of State Government Affairs at Anheuser-Busch with technical assistance from Ed Ferguson, Director of Sustainability at Anheuser-Busch.

Additional glass resources may be found on NERC’s website.

Note: The Model Legislation does not necessarily represent the views of individual work group members.

Model Legislation contact Mary Ann Remolador, NERC’s Assistant Director.