On the occasion of the 53rd World Environment Day, Pernod Ricard China announced the initial results of its innovative exploration and pilot of glass recycling in cooperation with Shanghai Haiyan Longji Renewable Resources Utilization Co., LTD. In Shanghai and Harbin, the two sides carried out pilot glass recycling from slag. In less than a year, 4,200 tons of waste glass has been successfully recycled, equivalent to 8.4 million 500g bottles of wine.

In China, the recycling rate of waste glass has always been at a low level. According to statistics, in 2022, China's waste glass output exceeds 24 million tons, and the recovery rate is only about 35%. Glass that is not recycled is usually incinerated together with China's waste. The slag is the by-product of the incineration of China's waste. The untreated incineration slag is mainly composed of ash slag, broken glass and bricks, ceramic shards, wood chips, and a small amount of rags, plastics, metal products and other substances. The waste glass separated from the slag can be applied to the production of glass as a raw material through further regeneration treatment. Glass production with the addition of recycled glass can reduce CO2 emissions by 20% compared to the use of new raw materials such as limestone, sand, soda ash, etc.

"Most of our products are packaged in glass, so glass is closely related to our products' life-cycle carbon emissions," said Binchen Guo, CEO of Pernod Ricard China. Pernod Ricard has always been committed to scientific carbon reduction from raw materials to products. We hope to contribute to sustainable development by working with our partners to promote the recycling and reuse of waste glass."

Different from the common recycling model of centralized sorting of glass as recyclables, this in-depth cooperation between Pernod Ricard China and Yanlongji opens up a new path of waste glass recycling that is mutually beneficial and win-win with slag plants. In the course of the project, Yanlongji purchased slag from the slag factory. In addition, the residual slag after sorting will be used in the production of environmentally friendly bricks and other building materials, which will improve the economic efficiency of slag while creating a sustainable business model.

The pre-treated broken glass is piled up and waiting for shipment

Yao Yuan, Assistant to the president of Shanghai Longji Renewable Resources Utilization Co., LTD., said: "Recycling waste glass from China's waste is the trend of The Times. I am glad to be at the forefront of the industry with Pernod Ricard China to explore effective ways to scale waste glass recycling, reduce resource waste and achieve win-win results."

As a responsible corporate citizen, Pernod Ricard China pays close attention to the issues related to the circular economy and has accumulated rich practical experience in the field of "recycling". It is not only committed to the research and development of sustainable packaging, but also works with its brand Absolute ® Vodka and other brands continue to explore creative ways to encourage consumers to integrate the concept of recycling into their lifestyle. In the future, Pernod Ricard China will further increase its investment, build a more open glass recycling cooperation platform, connect all parties to continue to explore the efficient use and recycling of resources, lead the sustainable development of the industry, and jointly write a new picture of beautiful China.

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