$350,000 investment in West Louisville to create up to 10 new jobs and advance sustainability practices in the region

LOUISVILLE, KY – On August 28, 2024, Gov. Andy Beshear joined local officials and leadership from O-I Glass Inc. and multiple distilleries in Louisville to celebrate the launch of Kentucky’s first dedicated glass recycling program. The $350,000 glass processing initiative will create up to 10 new jobs and is a collaborative partnership between O-I Glass, Workwell Industries and multiple Kentucky distillers, including Suntory Global Spirits, Diageo North America and Pernod Ricard.

“Kentucky is home to countless companies doing their part to create a better tomorrow for all Kentuckians, and this collaborative partnership is the perfect example of what our great state can achieve when we work together,” said Gov. Beshear. “I am honored to be here today celebrating this exciting next step in the commonwealth’s mission of sustainability and workforce development. This project will create quality jobs and opportunities for the West Louisville community, and I am thrilled to see this innovative initiative succeed. I want to thank the leadership teams of O-I Glass, Workwell Industries, Suntory Global Spirits, Diageo North America and Pernod Ricard for their willingness to partner strategically and make this program a reality.”

The collaborative project will create Kentucky’s first dedicated glass recycling program and provide needed support to prepare end-of-life glass spirits packaging for recycling into new bottles. The glass will be cleaned, sorted and processed into “cullet” (furnace-ready glass), which will then be prepared for recycling into new bottles by O-I Glass, helping to create a sustainable local supply of recycled glass. The initiative aims to create new jobs for those in the community who have faced barriers to employment and is focused on improving local recycling infrastructure by processing over 1,200 tons of glass packaging in its first year. The initiative is expected to create up to 10 permanent full-time jobs in sorting, machine operation and materials handling.

“Glass is core to the history of the Kentucky spirits industry,” said Randy Burns, chief administrative officer for O-I Glass. “Glass is valuable raw material. To achieve its full, sustainable potential, O-I is transforming recycling systems through collective action between customers, communities and regulators in the communities where we operate. This innovative glass-recycling partnership builds on that legacy, benefitting not only local industry, but the community and our planet as well.”

Headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio, O-I Glass is the preferred partner for many of the world’s leading food and beverage brands that has specialized in the manufacture of glass products for nearly 120 years. The company operates globally with approximately 24,000 employees across 68 plants in 19 countries.

Workwell Industries is a nonprofit organization committed to creating jobs for people who may experience barriers to employment. This includes veterans, individuals with disabilities and those who need second chance employment. They specialize in co-packaging and sub-assembly for companies that outsource work.

“I am happy to welcome the RecycWELL facility to West Louisville,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. “This project reflects our city’s commitment to sustainability and showcases unique ways that the bourbon industry spurs economic growth throughout our community and our state. Together, we are building a greener, more prosperous Louisville for all.”

Through collaborative support and funding from O-I Glass, Suntory Global Spirits, Diageo North America and Pernod Ricard, Workwell’s RecycWELL initiative helps build on the best four-year period for economic growth in state history.

Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling $32 billion in announced investments, creating nearly 55,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history.

The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. The average incentivized hourly wage in 2022 and 2023 topped $26 in consecutive years for the first time.

Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the electric vehicle battery production capital of the United States: Ford Motor Co. and SK On’s transformative $5.8 billion, 5,000-job BlueOval SK Battery Park in Hardin County; AESC’s $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Scott County; and INFAC North America’s $53 million investment in Taylor County, among others.

The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund, as well as the most jobs filled in state history. Last year, Kentucky set the record for the longest period with the lowest unemployment rates in state history.

Kentucky also secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings, and Moody’s Investors Service upgraded Kentucky’s credit outlook from stable to positive.

In March, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky third nationally and first in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2023 Governor’s Cup rankings. In April, Site Selection placed Kentucky second in the South Central region and in the top 10 nationally in its 2024 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects.

Gov. Beshear announced a “Supply Kentucky” initiative with the goal of boosting job growth, reducing costs and providing more security in the supply chains of our Kentucky companies.

For more information on O-I Glass, visit O-I.com.

To learn more about Suntory Global Spirits, visit suntoryglobalspirits.com.

Additional information about Pernod Ricard USA, visit pernod-ricard-usa.com.

For more information about Diageo North America, visit diageo.com.

A detailed community profile for Jefferson County can be viewed here.

Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at CED.ky.gov. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion at facebook.com/CEDkygov, on Twitter @CEDkygov, Instagram @CEDkygov and LinkedIn.