The glass container industry is going through some big changes because of new rules and the need to be more eco-friendly. The European Union is bringing in a law called the Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) to make packaging lighter and more sustainable. Glass containers are heavy compared to plastic or aluminum, so people are worried that the industry will be treated unfairly. But even though glass can be recycled, it takes a lot of energy and produces CO2 emissions.
To deal with these problems, glassmakers are thinking about using electric furnaces instead of ones that use gas. Electric furnaces can be better for the environment if they get their power from sustainable sources. In the past, electric furnaces were too expensive, but now that electricity costs less, they're becoming a more realistic option. A glass manufacturer called Stoelzle Flaconnage in West Yorkshire plans to have an electric furnace up and running by 2026. But electric furnaces might not be good for making lots of glass because electricity costs more.
Another problem with electric furnaces is that the electricity grid needs to be upgraded to handle the extra demand. Even with these challenges, the glass industry is making progress in developing electric and hybrid furnaces. Ardagh Glass Packaging in Germany is testing a hybrid furnace that uses 80% sustainable electricity and 20% gas. This furnace could save 45,000 tonnes of CO2 every year. The industry is also looking into using hydrogen instead of natural gas in the future.
As well as using more sustainable furnaces, the glass industry is trying to reduce its carbon emissions by using more recycled glass. But it's hard to get enough recycled glass. Some experts think that the best way to help the environment is to use less glass packaging overall. A study comparing the environmental impact of glass, plastic, and aluminum containers found that glass had the biggest impact, even when it was recycled.
In the end, the glass container industry is under pressure to be more eco-friendly and meet sustainability goals. Switching to electric or hybrid furnaces, using more recycled glass, and looking into other materials could be the best ways to achieve these goals.
Original news source: Why there's a revolution on the way in glass making (BBC)
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Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Have students read the article individually and then write a summary of the main points. They should focus on key information, such as the new law, the challenges faced by the glass industry, and potential solutions. After they have written their summaries, have them share with a partner and discuss any differences or similarities.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Choose 10 vocabulary words from the article and write them on the board. Divide the class into teams and give each team a whiteboard or a piece of paper. One person from each team will come to the front of the class and choose a word. They must then draw a picture to represent the word while their team members try to guess what it is. The team that guesses correctly gets a point. Repeat with different team members and words.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups and give each group a sheet of paper. Have them create a list of the pros and cons of using electric furnaces in the glass industry. After they have finished, have each group share their lists with the class and lead a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of this technology.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Ask students to think about the following question: "What are some ways that the glass industry can become more eco-friendly?" Give them a few minutes to brainstorm ideas individually. Then, have them pair up with a partner and share their ideas. Afterward, open up the discussion to the whole class and have students share their partner's ideas as well as their own.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: In small groups, have students discuss and make predictions about the future of the glass container industry. They should consider factors such as advancements in technology, changes in consumer behavior, and environmental regulations. Each group should write down their predictions and be prepared to explain their reasoning to the class. After all groups have presented, lead a class discussion on the different predictions and the likelihood of each scenario.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
The glass industry is going through some big changes because of new rules and the need to be more eco-friendly. The European Union is bringing in a law called the Packaging & Packaging Waste (PPWR) to make packaging lighter and more sustainable. Glass containers are heavy compared to plastic or , so people are worried that the industry will be treated unfairly. But even though glass can be recycled, it takes a lot of energy and produces CO2 emissions. To deal with these , glassmakers are thinking about using electric instead of ones that use gas. Electric furnaces can be better for the environment if they get their power from sustainable sources. In the past, furnaces were too expensive, but now that electricity costs less, they're becoming a more realistic option. A manufacturer Stoelzle Flaconnage in West Yorkshire plans to have an electric furnace up and running by 2026. But electric furnaces might not be good for making lots of glass because electricity costs more. Another problem with electric furnaces is that the electricity grid needs to be upgraded to handle the extra demand. Even with these challenges, the glass industry is making progress in developing electric and furnaces. Ardagh Glass Packaging in Germany is testing a hybrid furnace that uses 80% sustainable electricity and 20% gas. This furnace could save 45,000 of CO2 every year. The industry is also into hydrogen instead of natural gas in the future. As well as using more sustainable furnaces, the glass industry is trying to reduce its carbon emissions by using more recycled glass. But it's hard to get enough recycled glass. Some experts think that the best way to help the environment is to use less glass packaging overall. A comparing the environmental impact of glass, plastic, and aluminum containers found that glass had the impact, even when it was recycled. In the end, the glass container industry is under pressure to be more eco-friendly and meet sustainability . Switching to electric or hybrid furnaces, using more recycled glass, and looking into other could be the best ways to achieve these goals.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is the Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and why is it important?
2. How would you feel if the glass container industry was treated unfairly compared to plastic and aluminum?
3. Do you like the idea of using electric furnaces in the glass industry? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it is worth investing in electric furnaces if they are more expensive to use? Why or why not?
5. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of using electric furnaces in the glass industry?
6. How would you feel if the electricity grid needed to be upgraded to support electric furnaces?
7. Do you think using hydrogen instead of natural gas in glass production is a good idea? Why or why not?
8. What are some ways the glass industry can reduce its carbon emissions?
9. How do you feel about using more recycled glass in glass production? Why or why not?
10. Do you think using less glass packaging overall is the best solution for the environment? Why or why not?
11. What are some other materials the glass industry could consider using instead of glass?
12. How important do you think it is for industries to be more eco-friendly and meet sustainability goals?
13. What are some other industries that you think should focus on being more eco-friendly?
14. How can individuals contribute to making the glass container industry more sustainable?
15. Why do you think it's important for industries to adapt and change to be more eco-friendly?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
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Words
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π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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