The All India Glass Manufacturers’ Federation (AIGMF) on Friday launched an initiative to create awareness about the benefits of glass as an eco-friendly option. This is part of the glass industry body’s campaign on environment consciousness and sustainability wherein the federation will target about 2000 schools and colleges throughout India.

The main objective of this initiative here on world environment day is to educate the consumer about glass, which is 100 percent recyclable.

Manohar Lal, secretary, AIGMF, said, “Over last few years, the glass packaging industry has been doing their job silently but looking at the continued misuse of the scarce natural resources and environment degradation feels that time has come for them to come forward & work towards environment conservation.”

“Whilst on the road or in a train, you will find a lot of garbage around. More often than not, glass is not in the garbage,” added SC Vishwakarma, president, AIGMF.

In the initial phase, AIGMF will target audience in Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad. It will roll out this initiative in cities in a phased manner. AIGMF is looking to get active involvement from the government, NGOs for this initiative.

According to AIGMF, glass recycling reduces air pollution by 20 per cent and water pollution by 50 per cent, while a tonne of recycled glass saves upto 300 kg of carbon dioxide.