From peanut butter jar to glass container: The journey of glass recycling
Why do some packages have a deposit and others don't?
Products that are mainly used outdoors or on the go, such as beer or soft drinks, often end up in nature. By charging a deposit on these products, consumers return them more quickly. In 2022, an update was published that showed that there were 76% fewer plastic bottles in litter in the first half of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. Products such as peanut butter are mainly used at home, which reduces the chance of the packaging ending up in nature. In addition, the deposit system is mainly designed for the efficient cleaning of beer and soft drink bottles. Peanut butter jars are not suitable for this system.
What happens to deposit packaging?
If bottles or cans are still good, they can be reused. They are cleaned, checked for damage and refilled. This is sustainable, because no new glass needs to be made. Glass bottles can be reused several times before they eventually need to be recycled. Even if a glass bottle is damaged or not suitable for reuse, it is recycled. This process is the same as with the bottle bank.
How does glass recycling work?
When you throw a glass jar or bottle in the glass container, the glass is taken to a recycling plant. Here, the glass is sorted by colour: white, brown and green glass are kept separate. The glass is then cleaned and heated to over 1500 degrees Celsius. At this high temperature, the glass melts and can be re-cast in all kinds of shapes. The great thing about glass is that it can be recycled endlessly without loss of quality. This sustainable process ensures that we need fewer raw materials to make new glass.
Why don't glass jars like peanut butter jars have a deposit?
Although glass can be recycled endlessly, the recycling system via the glass container is very efficient. Reusing glass jars on a large scale takes a lot of time, energy and manpower. Therefore, it is more sustainable to throw the jars in the glass container. In addition, glass jars, such as those of peanut butter, do not have a deposit because they are mainly used at home and there is less chance that they end up in nature.
What consumers can best do to be as sustainable as possible
Want to be sustainable with your empty peanut butter jar? The best thing you can do is reuse it! You can use your jar to store food, as a storage jar or even as a craft project. The very best option? Take your empty jar to one of our stores and have it filled with delicious peanut butter . This way, you don't have to use a new jar, you can enjoy fresh peanut butter and you also get a discount! So, the next time you finish your jar of peanut butter, you don't have to worry about throwing it away. Although there is no deposit on our peanut butter jars, the glass is recycled in a sustainable way via the glass container. Collecting and reusing it yourself sounds nice, but in practice, recycling glass via the glass container is much more efficient and sustainable. Do you really want to be green? Reuse your jar for storage or refill it in our store. This way, you contribute to a cleaner planet, one jar of peanut butter at a time! --- Written by Thibaut de Wild