The Glass Packaging Institute has praised California's AB 899, which extends and increases market-development payments for glass bottle manufacturers. The legislation aims to level the playing field against subsidized imports from Asia. "California's action on AB 899 sets a model for how states can invest in circular, resilient manufacturing," says GPI President Scott DeFife.

Extended producer responsibility fees could become a catalyst for sustainable packaging innovation, according to Olga Kachook, SPC director at GreenBlue. With seven states set to implement EPR programs that use eco-modulation to determine fees based on environmental impact, companies can save significantly by switching to more recyclable materials with lower fees. For example, moving from rigid plastic to glass could result in lower fees. Kachook suggests that savings from EPR fees be reinvested into more sustainable packaging options, creating a cycle of continuous improvement.

Ardagh Glass Packaging-North America has unveiled a 100ml liquor bottle, expanding its portfolio of premium spirits bottles. This new offering is positioned alongside the company's existing 50ml bottle and is designed to provide more options for spirits brands seeking high-quality packaging solutions.

Snapple is reviving its glass bottles for a limited time, responding to nostalgic fans who say beverages taste better in glass. The initiative will be limited to New York City bodegas and select stores, featuring five flavors: Snapple Apple, Kiwi Strawberry, Peach Tea, Zero Sugar Peach Tea and Lemon Tea. Snapple began transitioning to plastic bottles to reduce packaging weight and environmental impact, but fans have expressed a strong preference for glass.

Next Glass has acquired Ekos, a production and inventory management platform serving over 1,200 craft beverage producers. This move brings together two leading names in brewery technology, expanding Next Glass's reach across beer, wine, spirits, cider, and cannabis industries. The acquisition is expected to accelerate innovation and feature development by combining the expertise and resources of both teams.

Arquiste has introduced a collection of 30-milliliter bottles, following an increase in interest from younger consumers. Although smaller bottles are as costly to produce as larger ones, they are more accessible to consumers, and other brands, such as Borntostandout and Ormaie, have also embraced the trend. Isaac Lekach of Flower Shop says brands must balance size options to avoid cannibalizing sales of larger bottles.

Carlsberg has introduced what it claims is the world's smallest beer bottle, measuring just 12 millimeters in height--about the size of a grain of rice--and holding only 0.05 milliliters of nonalcoholic beer. The miniature bottle features the full Carlsberg label and a sealed cap, crafted in collaboration with Swedish glassblowing specialists Glaskomponent, and is set to be displayed at the Carlsberg Museum in Copenhagen. Carlsberg is also challenging students to create an even smaller beer as part of a public competition.

The World's Tallest Glass Tree Festival will return to Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay, Wis., from Dec. 5-14, featuring the creation of a 36-foot Christmas tree from recycled glass. Glass artist Jason Mack and his team will lead the tree-building process, inviting visitors to participate in drizzling molten glass onto a spinning steel frame. This year's tree will glow ruby red. The festival, which has partnered with the Glass Packaging Institute's "Don't Trash Glass" campaign, will feature live music, artisan vendors, food trucks, and glass art demonstrations.

UK-based V Rum has launched a custom bottle made entirely from recycled glass, in partnership with Verallia. The pentagon-shaped bottle, crafted in the UK, aims to set a sustainability benchmark in the spirits industry by reducing the brand's carbon footprint. The bottle will be used for V Rum's three core products: Premium White Rum, Spiced Rum and Overproof Rum.

Alaska retailers are increasingly adopting zero-waste models, offering bulk goods and encouraging the use of reusable containers to reduce single-use packaging. Stores such as Blue Market AK, Raw Market, and Sunshine Health Foods have implemented self-serve or staff-assisted bulk sections for dry goods, liquids, and body products, aiming to minimize packaging waste. These efforts align with a broader commitment to sustainability and reducing landfill contributions; however, businesses note that customer education and maintaining consistent container cleanliness remain ongoing priorities.

A recycling center has opened in Fort Worth, Texas, to process up to 144,000 tons of waste annually, utilizing advanced technologies such as optical sorters and ballistic separators. The $62.5 million facility, operated by Waste Management, aims to divert waste from the city's landfill, which has a enough remaining capacity for about a decade.