Nonmetallics

Graham Packaging Co. LP, York, Pa., has introduced the first clear PET multilayer plastic jar with a wide-mouth finish and barrier properties suitable for hot-packed food products. Previously these products were only available in glass containers.

The container includes post-consumer and post-industrial recycled materials, and the oxygen barrier material can be separated from the PET in the recycling process and taken out of the recycling stream. The SurShot multilayer barrier system has been recognized as recyclable by PET Container Recycling Europe.

More information is available at www.grahampackaging.com.

Glassco Recycling has officially opened a $7.5 million recycling facility in Ireland.

The plant will initially handle 50,000 metric tons of bottles and jars per year. The plant will use optical color sorting technology, which enables the company to efficiently sort mixed glass by color. In the near future, Glassco says it intends to recycle other glass products, such as plate glass, which is currently not being recycled effectively in Ireland.

The new plant uses the latest generation of ceramic separators, which effectively remove small pieces of ceramics, stones and porcelain, which are detrimental to glass recycling. Small pieces of ceramics in recycled glass can render large amounts unusable for re-melting back into new bottles.

Glassco provides glass collection services to nearly 1,000 commercial organizations throughout Ireland and will collect and recycle 30,000 metric tons of glass this year.