It’s January and for many of us this month heralds the inevitable backlash against the indulgence of food and drink during the Christmas period. While there’s no shortage of advice on getting fit and healthy: gyms, the latest diets and the new super-foods, the expense, time and effort these things take can be overwhelming.
2 min
6 handmade gifts this Christmas
Capture the true spirit of Christmas with handmade gifts stored beautifully in upcycled glass jars…
5 min
Capture the true spirit of Christmas with handmade gifts stored beautifully in upcycled glass jars…
Request a bottle bank
No bottle banks in your neighborhood? Write to your local authority to have one installed. You can simply write them this letter…
1 min
No bottle banks in your neighborhood? Write to your local authority to have one installed. You can simply write them this letter…
5 Ways to Decorate For Christmas Using Glass
Snowflakes are falling, knitwear is finding its way out of the closet, and the frost is biting our noses – winter has arrived!
6 min
Snowflakes are falling, knitwear is finding its way out of the closet, and the frost is biting our noses – winter has arrived!
Why 5,000 year-old glass is still wine’s best friend
We love new things at Friends of Glass – but did you know that just by being told something is new can distort how people feel about something?
3 min
We love new things at Friends of Glass – but did you know that just by being told something is new can distort how people feel about something?
Using glass around the home this Earth Day
Happy Earth Day! Today (22 April) we are exploring the ways you can recycle and reuse glass around your home. There are loads of small changes you can make to live a more sustainable lifestyle and incorporate glass around your home. Here are a few of our tips.
2 min
Happy Earth Day! Today (22 April) we are exploring the ways you can recycle and reuse glass around your home. There are loads of small changes you can make to live a more sustainable lifestyle and incorporate glass around your home. Here are a few of our tips.
Friends of Glass urge brands to move back into glass after consumer survey results
Following Earth Day, the pan-European consumer movement Friends of Glass is calling on brands to make the switch back to glass.
2 min
Following Earth Day, the pan-European consumer movement Friends of Glass is calling on brands to make the switch back to glass.
What happens to my glass after it’s recycled?
Towards the end of 2019, FEVE and Friends of Glass launched their ‘Close the Glass Loop’ campaign to boost the glass collection for recycling rate to a target of 90% across Europe.
2 min
Towards the end of 2019, FEVE and Friends of Glass launched their ‘Close the Glass Loop’ campaign to boost the glass collection for recycling rate to a target of 90% across Europe.
It’s that time of year again.
What is a deposit return scheme and why should glass not be included? – Friends of Glass
There’s been a lot of talk recently about the proposed deposit return scheme in Scotland which is currently scheduled to come into effect in 2021. But at Friends of Glass, we realised that a lot of people may not actually know what a deposit return scheme is and how it’ll effect how we recycle our household waste.
3 min
There’s been a lot of talk recently about the proposed deposit return scheme in Scotland which is currently scheduled to come into effect in 2021. But at Friends of Glass, we realised that a lot of people may not actually know what a deposit return scheme is and how it’ll effect how we recycle our household waste.
The Recycle Week Recap
Last week saw the latest edition of Recycle Now’s annual ‘Recycle Week’ celebration with brands and individuals from around the UK take inspiration from environmental activists, such as David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg, to take recycling back into their own hands.
2 min
Last week saw the latest edition of Recycle Now’s annual ‘Recycle Week’ celebration with brands and individuals from around the UK take inspiration from environmental activists, such as David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg, to take recycling back into their own hands.
Recycle Week Case Study: Trerobart Primary School, Pontypridd
This Recycle Week, change is in your hands and our Glass Guardians programme has sparked a number of little acts of activism. Pontypridd’s Trerobart Primary School have learned a whole new world of knowledge through the project.
2 min
This Recycle Week, change is in your hands and our Glass Guardians programme has sparked a number of little acts of activism. Pontypridd’s Trerobart Primary School have learned a whole new world of knowledge through the project.
Recycle Week Case Study: Ysgol Maes Y Felin, Holywell
This Recycle Week, change is in your hands and our Glass Guardians programme has sparked a number of little acts of activism. Ysgol Maes Y Felin is keeping it local with their activism after being inspired by Glass Guardians.
2 min
This Recycle Week, change is in your hands and our Glass Guardians programme has sparked a number of little acts of activism. Ysgol Maes Y Felin is keeping it local with their activism after being inspired by Glass Guardians.
Recycle Week Case Study: Blackwell Primary School, Alfreton
This Recycle Week, change is in your hands and our Glass Guardians programme has sparked a number of little acts of activism. Blackwell Primary School in Alfreton embody that with their Tough Tomatoes environmental action group.
2 min
This Recycle Week, change is in your hands and our Glass Guardians programme has sparked a number of little acts of activism. Blackwell Primary School in Alfreton embody that with their Tough Tomatoes environmental action group.
Recycle Week Case Study: Pensby Primary School, The Wirral
This Recycle Week, change is in our own hands and our Glass Guardians programme has sparked a number of little acts of activism. The second case study comes courtesy of Pensby Primary School in the Wirral.
2 min
This Recycle Week, change is in our own hands and our Glass Guardians programme has sparked a number of little acts of activism. The second case study comes courtesy of Pensby Primary School in the Wirral.
Friends of Glass support Recycle Week
It’s that time of year again as we celebrate recycling with Recycle Week and both Friends of Glass and British Glass are delighted to be supporting the campaign yet again.
2 min
It’s that time of year again as we celebrate recycling with Recycle Week and both Friends of Glass and British Glass are delighted to be supporting the campaign yet again.
Recycle Week Case Study: St Helens CoE School, North Devon
This Recycle Week, change is in your hands and our Glass Guardians programme has sparked a number of little acts of activism. We’ll be bringing you an example each day of this week, starting with St Helens school in Devon.
2 min
This Recycle Week, change is in your hands and our Glass Guardians programme has sparked a number of little acts of activism. We’ll be bringing you an example each day of this week, starting with St Helens school in Devon.
Jo’s 162-mile trek beats the weather
Yorkshire woman Jo Moseley has paddleboarded the width of the UK – on canals.
2 min
Yorkshire woman Jo Moseley has paddleboarded the width of the UK – on canals.
Waste not want not – freezing food in glass
With plenty of summer fruit and veg around now, this is a good time to save as much as possible of any fresh food you have spare now. And you can save it in spare glass jars
2 min
With plenty of summer fruit and veg around now, this is a good time to save as much as possible of any fresh food you have spare now. And you can save it in spare glass jars
Five Ways Glass Can Reduce Your Plastic Use
Hot on the heels of iconic broadcaster David Attenborough’s landmark documentary ‘Climate Change – The Facts’, the BBC have introduced their latest environmental series ‘War on Plastic’.
3 min
Hot on the heels of iconic broadcaster David Attenborough’s landmark documentary ‘Climate Change – The Facts’, the BBC have introduced their latest environmental series ‘War on Plastic’.
How the Great British Spring Clean and Global Recycling Day can help glass
New beginnings and spring go hand in hand.
2 min
New beginnings and spring go hand in hand.
Four ways glass can help you lead a sustainable lifestyle
Leading a more sustainable lifestyle is something that has become more prominent in current times.
2 min
Leading a more sustainable lifestyle is something that has become more prominent in current times.
Friends of Glass 2018 Consumer Survey Results
A survey conducted for Friends of Glass found that 9 out of 10 millennial Europeans have become more conscious of the environmental impact of their consumer habits in the last year.
3 min
A survey conducted for Friends of Glass found that 9 out of 10 millennial Europeans have become more conscious of the environmental impact of their consumer habits in the last year.
The Friends of Glass New Year’s resolutions
As we enter 2019, many of us will see the start of a new year as a chance to wipe the slate clean and make positive changes with our New Year’s resolutions.
2 min
As we enter 2019, many of us will see the start of a new year as a chance to wipe the slate clean and make positive changes with our New Year’s resolutions.
The 12 days of Christmas
Here at Friends of Glass we’ve decided to get in the festive spirit and what better way to do so than with the 12 days of Christmas carol.
3 min
Here at Friends of Glass we’ve decided to get in the festive spirit and what better way to do so than with the 12 days of Christmas carol.
We know it’s tough being a student.
Students encouraged to recycle glass in new competition
University first year students in three key sites – York, Cardiff and Oxford, with 32,000 fresher students in total – are being urged to get recycling.
2 min
University first year students in three key sites – York, Cardiff and Oxford, with 32,000 fresher students in total – are being urged to get recycling.
Know what you can recycle
More people than ever are recycling and we couldn’t be happier – the glass industry love to use recycled glass when they manufacture new containers but not all types of glass can be used in production.
2 min
More people than ever are recycling and we couldn’t be happier – the glass industry love to use recycled glass when they manufacture new containers but not all types of glass can be used in production.
Duerr’s case study
In the second of our occasional blogs that look at the most recent striking and innovative ideas in glass bottle and jar design, we talk to those responsible for turning the humble marmalade jar into a work of art.
2 min
In the second of our occasional blogs that look at the most recent striking and innovative ideas in glass bottle and jar design, we talk to those responsible for turning the humble marmalade jar into a work of art.
ABSOLUT-LY Fabulous
At Friends of Glass, we love to see the arrival of exciting new bottle and jar designs. In the first of a new occasional series, we talk to those responsible for some of the most recent striking and innovative ideas.
2 min
At Friends of Glass, we love to see the arrival of exciting new bottle and jar designs. In the first of a new occasional series, we talk to those responsible for some of the most recent striking and innovative ideas.
Leeds enjoys a Lidl Recycling Love
Glass recycling in Leeds is set to get a boost this February thanks to a set of brand new glass banks being installed in Lidl’s Halton store carpark from February 12th. The banks join over 700 other bottle banks in the Leeds area, making it easier than ever for the people of Leeds to recycle their glass bottle and jars.
2 min
Glass recycling in Leeds is set to get a boost this February thanks to a set of brand new glass banks being installed in Lidl’s Halton store carpark from February 12th. The banks join over 700 other bottle banks in the Leeds area, making it easier than ever for the people of Leeds to recycle their glass bottle and jars.
Does it really get recycled?
A recent poll revealed that some people don’t bother recycling because they don’t think the material will actually be recycled. We can assure you that this is not true for glass! Glass is never rubbish – it’s a valuable resource. Here are four good reasons to believe that every bottle and jar you use really can and should go on to have another useful life.
2 min
A recent poll revealed that some people don’t bother recycling because they don’t think the material will actually be recycled. We can assure you that this is not true for glass! Glass is never rubbish – it’s a valuable resource. Here are four good reasons to believe that every bottle and jar you use really can and should go on to have another useful life.
Top 5 new glass bottles and jars
We think glass is great for good reasons – being 100% recyclable and good for protecting food and our health. But sometimes it’s just the clever and creative design in glass that get us excited.
2 min
We think glass is great for good reasons – being 100% recyclable and good for protecting food and our health. But sometimes it’s just the clever and creative design in glass that get us excited.
Why Recycle Week really does matter all year round
Glass is great when it comes to recycling. All bottles and jars are 100% recyclable and just about every part of the country has a system in place for households to recycle their glass packaging when it’s finished with.
2 min
Glass is great when it comes to recycling. All bottles and jars are 100% recyclable and just about every part of the country has a system in place for households to recycle their glass packaging when it’s finished with.
Recycle Week – what goes around comes around. Learn about the week.
It’s Recycle Week and this year’s theme – What goes around comes around – inspires us to enjoy the benefits of creating a circular economy – where we make, use and recycle. This is in contrast to the unsustainable make, use, discard linear economy. Recycle Week is great opportunity to learn more, find ways to recycle more, and get more people involved.
2 min
It’s Recycle Week and this year’s theme – What goes around comes around – inspires us to enjoy the benefits of creating a circular economy – where we make, use and recycle. This is in contrast to the unsustainable make, use, discard linear economy. Recycle Week is great opportunity to learn more, find ways to recycle more, and get more people involved.
Striving for zero glass waste
When you throw something away, it doesn’t magically disappear. It goes to landfill, an incinerator or litters the land or ocean. But when you recycle, you reduce waste.
2 min
When you throw something away, it doesn’t magically disappear. It goes to landfill, an incinerator or litters the land or ocean. But when you recycle, you reduce waste.
Glass is a friend when it comes to reducing landfill waste
We recently came across an article on BBC website which shares some new shocking statistics on plastic pollution and how Earth is slowly becoming a ‘Planet Plastic’.
1 min
We recently came across an article on BBC website which shares some new shocking statistics on plastic pollution and how Earth is slowly becoming a ‘Planet Plastic’.
Recycling Hero Leeds Campaign Success
Last month we ran a very exciting recycling campaign in Leeds in partnership with the local council and M&S Moortown store. The initiative is part of a drive to raise awareness of just how easy it is to recycle glass packaging, and to encourage people to recycle all their empty glass bottles and jars.
1 min
Last month we ran a very exciting recycling campaign in Leeds in partnership with the local council and M&S Moortown store. The initiative is part of a drive to raise awareness of just how easy it is to recycle glass packaging, and to encourage people to recycle all their empty glass bottles and jars.
Happy World Milk Day to all Friends of Glass.
Friends of Glass UK, M&S and Leeds City Council #RecyclingHero challenge
Friends of Glass UK launched initiative with Marks & Spencer and Leeds City Council to make consumers aware of the benefits of recycling glass.
2 min
Friends of Glass UK launched initiative with Marks & Spencer and Leeds City Council to make consumers aware of the benefits of recycling glass.
Glass Recycling in Your Own Community: Friends of Glass Goes Local!
This year the Friends of Glass team has teamed up with local authorities in Portsmouth and Leeds to encourage residents to recycle more glass.
1 min
This year the Friends of Glass team has teamed up with local authorities in Portsmouth and Leeds to encourage residents to recycle more glass.
Delicious Noodle Pots Recipe
We are big fans of the Great British Bake Off and delicious recipes in glass, so when we saw this recipe by one of the baking programme’s finalists, Tamal Ray, on the Guardian’s website we couldn’t resist to share it with you.
1 min
We are big fans of the Great British Bake Off and delicious recipes in glass, so when we saw this recipe by one of the baking programme’s finalists, Tamal Ray, on the Guardian’s website we couldn’t resist to share it with you.
Five Pinterest-Worthy Tutorials to Try This December
Here at Friends of Glass we love do it yourself tutorials and with Christmas just around the corner, we rounded up our favourite crafts and recipes for you to try during this festive season.
1 min
Here at Friends of Glass we love do it yourself tutorials and with Christmas just around the corner, we rounded up our favourite crafts and recipes for you to try during this festive season.
Glass – Not Just For Slippers!
Thousands braved the rain in London to watch the annual Lord Mayor’s Show in London on Saturday and what a show it was. We were delighted to be one of the sponsors of the Glass Seller’s float, which featured a model of a giant glass slipper, drawing inspiration from the fairytale classic, Cinderella.
1 min
Thousands braved the rain in London to watch the annual Lord Mayor’s Show in London on Saturday and what a show it was. We were delighted to be one of the sponsors of the Glass Seller’s float, which featured a model of a giant glass slipper, drawing inspiration from the fairytale classic, Cinderella.
5 DIY ideas to make your Halloween extra spooky
With Halloween just around the corner we thought we would share some great glass-themed easy to make ideas for this frightening season. Use these tutorials to get creative with your decorations and bring all the family and friends together.
1 min
With Halloween just around the corner we thought we would share some great glass-themed easy to make ideas for this frightening season. Use these tutorials to get creative with your decorations and bring all the family and friends together.
Why packaging matters
The average household in the UK buys 4,000 packaged products a year, including food. That’s 4,000 decisions to make; not only on what product or brand to choose, but also what type of material it’s packaged in.
1 min
The average household in the UK buys 4,000 packaged products a year, including food. That’s 4,000 decisions to make; not only on what product or brand to choose, but also what type of material it’s packaged in.
Why Go Plastic Free This July
For those who didn’t know yet, Plastic Free July is a simple idea developed in 2011. It aims to raise awareness of the amount of plastic in our lives, by encouraging people to eliminate the use of single-use plastic during July each year.
1 min
For those who didn’t know yet, Plastic Free July is a simple idea developed in 2011. It aims to raise awareness of the amount of plastic in our lives, by encouraging people to eliminate the use of single-use plastic during July each year.
The Return of the Milk Bottle
Over the past few weeks, the Friends of Glass team have noticed a number of articles in the news all talking about the latest trend in the milk market – glass bottles!
1 min
Over the past few weeks, the Friends of Glass team have noticed a number of articles in the news all talking about the latest trend in the milk market – glass bottles!
Get Ready for Spring with Glass
Soon spring will be upon us, although it certainly doesn’t feel like it. With frost thick on the ground and snow in London (who would of thought?!), the idea of spring cleaning will have most people cowering under the duvet! However, once the days get longer and lighter and daffodils start to bud, there’s nothing better than sprucing up the home ready to welcome the year ahead.
2 min
Soon spring will be upon us, although it certainly doesn’t feel like it. With frost thick on the ground and snow in London (who would of thought?!), the idea of spring cleaning will have most people cowering under the duvet! However, once the days get longer and lighter and daffodils start to bud, there’s nothing better than sprucing up the home ready to welcome the year ahead.
Go Nuts for Peanut Butter Day
Who doesn’t love peanut butter? Crunchy, smooth and rich; it comes in different varieties to suit everyone’s palate and what better way to celebrate International Peanut Butter Day than create your own, stored beautifully in a glass jar, of course! ☺
1 min
Who doesn’t love peanut butter? Crunchy, smooth and rich; it comes in different varieties to suit everyone’s palate and what better way to celebrate International Peanut Butter Day than create your own, stored beautifully in a glass jar, of course! ☺
Healthy lunch on the go, in glass jars!
It’s January and for many of us this month heralds the inevitable backlash against the indulgence of food and drink during the Christmas period. While there’s no shortage of advice on getting fit and healthy: gyms, the latest diets and the new super-foods, the expense, time and effort these things take can be overwhelming.
2 min
It’s January and for many of us this month heralds the inevitable backlash against the indulgence of food and drink during the Christmas period. While there’s no shortage of advice on getting fit and healthy: gyms, the latest diets and the new super-foods, the expense, time and effort these things take can be overwhelming.
Beer and festive food pairings
Wine has long worn the crown as the preferred drink to serve with Christmas lunch but one drinks expert is standing up for beer this year. Jane Peyton, Friends of Glass ambassador and the UK’s first Beer Sommelier of the Year (2014-2015) wants to bring beer out of the pub and onto the dining table.
4 min
Wine has long worn the crown as the preferred drink to serve with Christmas lunch but one drinks expert is standing up for beer this year. Jane Peyton, Friends of Glass ambassador and the UK’s first Beer Sommelier of the Year (2014-2015) wants to bring beer out of the pub and onto the dining table.
The Big Smoke Winter ‘Cockt-Ale’ Recipe
It’s the season of hosting, and what better way to entertain your nearest and dearest than with a Friends of Glass Christmas cocktail. Get in the festive spirit by making this fantastic cocktail by our brilliant Friends of Glass Ambassador Jane Peyton, the UK’s first Beer Sommelier of the Year (2014-2015).
1 min
It’s the season of hosting, and what better way to entertain your nearest and dearest than with a Friends of Glass Christmas cocktail. Get in the festive spirit by making this fantastic cocktail by our brilliant Friends of Glass Ambassador Jane Peyton, the UK’s first Beer Sommelier of the Year (2014-2015).
Meet The World’s First Milk Sommelier
Here at Friends of Glass, we can never resist a nice glass of milk poured from a cool glass milk bottle (of course)! It might surprise those of you who think that the doorstep delivery went out with black and white TV that every day, the UK’s 5 000 milkmen and women deliver to around 2.5 million homes. After all, who doesn’t like their milk delivered straight to their home or workplace? If you are as big a milk enthusiast as we are, you probably already know that glass helps keeps milk fresher for longer and ensures that it retains all its taste and goodness. That’s why when we came across Bas de Groot ,the world’s first milk sommelier, we were keen to learn more about his work.
2 min
Here at Friends of Glass, we can never resist a nice glass of milk poured from a cool glass milk bottle (of course)! It might surprise those of you who think that the doorstep delivery went out with black and white TV that every day, the UK’s 5 000 milkmen and women deliver to around 2.5 million homes. After all, who doesn’t like their milk delivered straight to their home or workplace? If you are as big a milk enthusiast as we are, you probably already know that glass helps keeps milk fresher for longer and ensures that it retains all its taste and goodness. That’s why when we came across Bas de Groot ,the world’s first milk sommelier, we were keen to learn more about his work.
All Aboard! Beer Tasting With a Difference
Last week we invited bloggers and journalists to enjoy an exclusive tour onboard a classic Route master London bus, while experiencing a very special beer tasting. Our guests learnt why glass bottles are best for preserving the taste of beer, and which beers matched well with that most traditional of British institutions – afternoon tea.
3 min
Last week we invited bloggers and journalists to enjoy an exclusive tour onboard a classic Route master London bus, while experiencing a very special beer tasting. Our guests learnt why glass bottles are best for preserving the taste of beer, and which beers matched well with that most traditional of British institutions – afternoon tea.
Add Colour to Your Kitchen with this DIY Tutorial
Love to get crafty? Then you will love this colourful do-it-yourself tutorial that will add glamour to your glassware.
1 min
Love to get crafty? Then you will love this colourful do-it-yourself tutorial that will add glamour to your glassware.
Recreate the look: lace jars for wedding drinks
Having an autumn wedding? Why not incorporate this lace jar look for your reception drinks.
1 min
Having an autumn wedding? Why not incorporate this lace jar look for your reception drinks.
Glass and Milk – the Perfect Partnership
An insight into the wonderful combination of fresh milk and glass.
2 min
An insight into the wonderful combination of fresh milk and glass.
A beer-drinkers’ guide to choosing the right glassware
As any beer lover who’s ever been to Belgium will know, the stemmed glass the beer is served in is all part of the experience. However, how many realise that the shape of the glass isn’t just for show, it influences how the beer will taste. In some cases, breweries have been known to design the glass first, and create the beer second!
1 min
As any beer lover who’s ever been to Belgium will know, the stemmed glass the beer is served in is all part of the experience. However, how many realise that the shape of the glass isn’t just for show, it influences how the beer will taste. In some cases, breweries have been known to design the glass first, and create the beer second!
Size Matters: Survey shows glassware has impact on women’s view of beer
A recent Friends of Glass survey has revealed some interesting insights into female attitudes to beer, the UK’s favourite alcoholic tipple.
3 min
A recent Friends of Glass survey has revealed some interesting insights into female attitudes to beer, the UK’s favourite alcoholic tipple.
Discover how you can make an impact
From how we live at home to how we show up for the planet, our everyday choices can be the starting point for a more sustainable future.
Take action now
Glass is so much more than just a bottle or jar.
A bottle isn’t just a bottle. A jar isn’t just a jar. Glass is much more than the ingredients it’s made from or the product it holds – it’s a guardian of taste, an infinite shape-shifter, and a creative canvas.