If you are here, it means you are curious about how your home can become more sustainable, even regarding the drinking glasses you choose to use.
After decades of enthroning plastic, disposable and single-use stuff for the sake of practicality, we’ve come to know the cost of such a decision.
Yet, changing habits is one of the most difficult things for human nature -it takes time or even generations! Let’s take, for example, beverages. Though nowadays many mainstream beverage brands are available in glass bottles, we don’t see them rotating on the shelves as we would expect.
But it was the rule in my early childhood! Beverage containers were made of glass (both in stores, restaurants, and cafés) and they were returned, washed, and refilled. Of course, you could never get one gallon of liquid in a glass bottle. But resigning to practicality for the sake of the Earth -let’s call it positive frugality- can be cool.
Why Green Glassware?
As for drinkware and tableware, the situation is moving far way better.
We are seeing the comeback of glass.
On the one side, recycled glassware usage is growing more and more, as people become aware of the necessity to reduce waste. The global recycled glass market is expected to grow from $4.14 billion in 2020 and reach $6.49 billion by 2028. It’s worth underlining that the glass bottles and containers segment holds the largest market share (25% in 2020).
But not everything is a bed of roses in the glassware landscape. Even though glass is one of the few materials that can be recycled seamlessly, 7 million tons of glass containers end up in US landfills every year. This is a shame because most manufacturers use at least some recycled content for glass production. At some point, the recycling loop is broken.
Upcycling can greatly contribute to building a circular economy.
And this is where upcycling plays a key role. Not only can it dramatically reduce the volume of waste landfilled, or incinerated, but it also contributes to cutting off carbon emissions. Upcycling glass, as we underlined in a previous blog post, can be more sustainable than recycling. It can help to restore the loop.
Upcycled Glassware On The Spotlight
By upcycled glassware, we refer to the process of transforming collected glass items -before they hit the landfills- and transforming them into something more valuable: glass cups, glass bowls, serving trays, candleholders, and more.
The difference with recycling is that instead of crushing down the material to manufacture new products -which would take more energy-, you use the actual material. Moreover, you even keep part of its original shape. It is a win-win mindset. Collecting waste items becomes an activity that can create jobs in our communities. And repurposing discarded bottles results in a creative business that can supply fresh new products, and reduce carbon emissions.
A modern glass bottle would take 4000 years or more to decompose.
(and even longer if it's in the landfill).
Green Drinking Glasses To Adopt in 2022
Whether you need to buy, gift, or replace glass cups, upcycled glassware is worth giving a try. It can be as elegant as sustainable and serve for everyday use as well as party drinks, spirits, and even smoothies.
Neutrall features three types of green drinking glasses, and we are planning to extend our collection and include more sizes and types to fit your needs. All our glassware is dishwasher safe.
Neutrall glassware is entirely upcycled and sustainable.
Twin 8oz Glass Cups
An 8-ounce glass cup is considered the standard drinking glass. It equals one cup of liquid, or 8 fluid ounces, a perfect size for juice, soda, and milk. For beer and spirits, it provides good portion control. These small drinking glasses are perfect for your breakfast juice and to introduce glassware usage to children.
Neutrall’s upcycled drinkware collection features two presentations: a drinkware set of two 8 oz glass cups, and a set of six 8oz drinking glasses for everyday use. The cups are made from Topo Chico bottles, which are cut and polished, after which the rims are softened. The size and shape make them easy to handle for kids. Twin sets come in two variants: clear glass cups and green-tinted glasses.
Upcycled 8oz Glass Cups (Set of 2 and 6)
STOUT 12oz Glass Cups
The most common glasses used are those of 12 ounces, which equals 1.5 cups. Neutrall Upcycled Stout 12oz glass cups sets bring 4 cups. Neutrall Stout 12 oz glass cups embody the spirit of the so-called Old-fashioned glasses but hold the double of liquid. They are perfect for spirits and drinks or beverages for special occasions, such as parties and events.
Green choices: Stout 12oz (left) and Beanstalk 16oz drinking glasses (right).
BEANSTALK 16 oz Glass Cups
A 16oz glass cup equals a pint (473 ml; US). Beanstalk 16 oz glass cups are made from upcycled wine bottles and are also dishwasher safe. These highball glasses are ideal for refreshing carbonated drinks, cocktails, beer, water, or soda.
Green glassware wholesale for bars and restaurants
Glassware is an important piece of any restaurant, hotel, café, or bar equipment. And so are bottles. If you are thinking about how you can improve your business practices, to make them more earth-friendly, glassware is a fact worth considering.
Swapping to green drinking glasses will help you reduce your business or store's carbon footprint and offer your customers a valuable experience. If you’re looking for restaurant equipment, or you have a bar or café, we supply bulk glassware at special prices.
Please, contact us, or send us an email at support@neutrall.us and we will be happy to help you find the best green drinking glasses options at convenient prices.
Swap to green-cheers!
Drinking is something we do every day. Therefore, your drinking glasses choices matter a lot. If you have been using plastic or acrylic cups at home, maybe it’s time to give green glassware a try, and -why not?- adopt it as part of your New Year’s resolutions.
Green cheers!
If you liked this blog post, please share it with your friends! If you have further questions, suggestions, or comments, you can contact us or email us at barbara@neutrall.us