Owens-Illinois announces support for RECYCLE Act of 2019

Container glass product manufacturer Owens-Illinois has announced support for the Recycle Enhancements to Collection and Yield through Consumer Learning and Education (RECYCLE) Act of 2019.

Administered by the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA), the new legislation is aimed at educating consumers on the correct way to recycle and increasing recycling rates in the US.

US Senators Robert Portman (R-OH) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) created the RECYCLE Act.

The bipartisan legislation requires the administrator of the EPA to establish an outreach grant programme.

Eligible entities will be awarded competitive grants to improve the effectiveness of residential and community recycling programmes.

The entities could be a state, a unit of local government, a tribal government, a non-profit organisation or a public-private partnership (PPP).

Owens-Illinois Government Relations global vice-president Randolph Burns said: “O-I is thrilled to see bipartisan legislation that will have an important impact on reducing waste and increasing the availability of recyclable materials like glass.

“We are a global company and can see that other countries are much further ahead than the US in terms of recycling behaviour.

“Europe has had tremendous success, so we know it is possible. To change consumer habits we must start with education. This legislation provides a needed jolt of energy to jump-start action and momentum.”

Owens-Illinois operates 78 plants in 23 countries and employs more than 26,500 people.

Last month, American Forest & Paper Association announced support for RECYCLE Act of 2019.