Greene King launches ‘glass amnesty'

by L. Ike Lee-Storey

Drinkers who might have ‘accidentally' ended up taking their glass home from the pub after a long night will now be able to return them guilt-free thanks to a glass amnesty announced by Greene King.

The move came as the pub firm and brewer warned that the industry was on the brink of global glass shortage, ahead of another potentially warm summer.

Greene King said it would operate the "no questions asked" policy amid concerns that stocks of the sand used in glass manufacture were at an all-time low.

The company said a combination of global warming, coastal erosion and political unrest in the Middle East have all impacted on the sand mining industry, putting enormous pressure on supplies. Sand pits are stretched and stockpiles, or dunes as they are more correctly called, are shrinking fast.

Sandy Dhunes from Greene King explained: "Owing to the impending glass shortage, we are asking our customers, past and present, to return any glasses they may have accidentally taken home. We know it happens. After all, who among us has not at some stage in our lives been out for a few drinks and next day found a pub glass that has somehow made it home with us? I suspect if everyone opened their glass cupboard this morning to check, the majority will find a rogue pub glass tucked away somewhere towards the back."

"I would urge anyone who has a pub glass at home to bring it back today. Otherwise we may have to ask customers to bring their own drinking vessels next time they come to the pub."

Customers wishing to return glasses can find their nearest Greene King pub through the following site: www.findaproperpub.co.uk