On May 18, 2021, the The UN (United Nations) General Council has approved a joint request from the International Commission on Glass (ICG), the Community of Glass Associations (CGA) and the International Committee for Museums and Glass Collections (ICOM-Glass) that 2022 be declared the United Nations International Year of Glass (IYOG). This year celebrates the essential role that glass plays in society, as a versatile material with multiple applications, which has accompanied humanity for thousands of years, and its contribution to the world’s achievement of the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Glass packaging can be both reusable and infinitely recyclable into new packaging for the same purpose. Recycling them saves virgin raw materials, reduces energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and waste production. In addition, being inert, it is also a good food contact packaging material, retaining the inherent properties of food and beverages, preserving their flavor and quality, even when recycled.
The opening ceremony for this initiative took place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on February 10 and 11. Although restrictions due to the pandemic limited the audience to 135 people, the event was broadcast worldwide. The lectures highlighted the latest thinking on how glass can help the development of more just and sustainable societies, the latest scientific and technical advances, as well as its influence on art and history, and finally the role of museums.
Around 10,000 activities are planned, in which the organization offers access to the IYOG logo, a network of contacts to share ideas, and materials such as posters, exhibition boards, articles, and videos for Youtube.
This initiative aims to inspire the public and promote glass, the wide dissemination of its history, its contributions to the arts, its imaginative use in architecture, its recyclability, and its role in ensuring our well-being.
You can get more information on the official website, which includes a donation tool, a contact list, and a database where activities can be uploaded.
