According to a survey carried out earlier this year with the Friends of Glass community, 78% of Europeans have noticed a change in their behavior since the release of BBC’s Blue Planet II. To raise awareness of the endless lives of glass, and help consumers make healthy, sustainable choices, the European glass industry association has teamed up with Surfrider, the Bottle Boys and more.
Since last year’s release of BBC’s Blue Planet II, concern over the state of our marine systems and oceans has exponentially grown and public attention has increasingly focused on the need to make more sustainable choices in everyday life. According to a recent Europe-wide survey carried out with the Friends of Glass community, 78% of Europeans have noticed a change in their own behaviour and pay more attention to the environmental impact of their daily life and actions.
The survey also reveals that 73% of Europeans rate glass as the most ocean-friendly packaging, and 78% rank it amongst top packaging choices when buying their food and beverage products. Because of its infinite recycling potential, glass is regarded as one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly forms of packaging on the shelves. Crucially, glass is made from recycled glass, sand, soda ash and limestone, all raw materials which are found in nature. Even if a glass container were to end up in the ocean, it does not leach harmful chemicals or end up as micro particles that may pollute the ocean and harm our marine systems.
Friends of Glass is inviting people to come together in a global toast to our seas and oceans. To this end, they have partnered with Surfrider Foundation Europe, a marine conservation organisation that seeks to protect the ocean for future generations. This partnership guarantees the preservation of 300,000 m² of beach while highlighting the impact of marine litter.
Danish band The Bottle Boys and Spanish pro-surfer Aritz Aranburu joined members of the Friends of Glass community from all over Europe to sing along to Charles Trenet’s iconic song ‘La Mer’, culminating in a sunset toast to the ocean.
Raise a glass and join the movement by sharing your tribute using the hashtag #CheersToTheOcean