How Glass Reuse Benefits Our Beaches

As we walk along the Oregon coast, it’s easy to take the beauty of our beaches for granted. We stop to admire the waves, rocks, and caves, but do you ever appreciate the sand beneath your feet? Sand is a precious and limited resource that is being stolen from beaches at an alarming rate in order to assist in glass bottle production. This illegal extraction not only disrupts coastal ecosystems but also threatens the stability of our beaches. At Revino, we are dedicated to preserving this natural wonder through sustainable practices, including the reuse of glass bottles. By reusing glass, we can alleviate the pressure on sand resources and contribute to their conservation. The significant benefits of glass reuse and its impact on beach conservation, should encourage all to protect our sand and water resources!

The Benefits of Glass and Impact on Plastic Pollution

Glass is made from natural elements such as sand, soda ash, and limestone. Unlike plastic, which can take hundreds of years to decompose, glass is infinitely recyclable. This means that glass is a renewable material that can be reheated and reformed to become new glass over and over again maintaining its quality and purity with each cycle. It does not absorb or interact with the food or liquid inside, meaning it does not release dangerous chemicals that could harm the earth, oceans, or marine life. 

Reusing and recycling glass can lead to substantial emissions and water savings by cutting down on the energy required for manufacturing new ones, resulting in a lower carbon footprint. Using a reusable bottle 25 times reduces climate emissions by 85% compared to single-use glass, 57% compared to aluminum cans, and 70% compared to single-use PET. Additionally, reusable bottles consume 93% less energy and 82% less water than single-use bottles (O-I Sustainability Report). Revino’s reusable bottles only need to be reused 3 times before they become carbon neutral. The glass production process consumes vast amounts of water, sand and other components. By opting for reusable glass bottles, we conserve these vital resources, ensuring their availability for future generations. 

Marine plastic pollution is a growing global concern, with devastating effects on marine life and ecosystems. “Oceana estimates that a mere 10% increase in the share of beverages sold in refillable bottles could lead to a 22% decrease in marine plastic pollution. This reduction would keep approximately 4.5 to 7.6 billion plastic bottles out of the ocean each year” (Upstream Report). By embracing glass reuse, we can make a significant impact in the fight against plastic pollution, protecting our oceans and the life within them.