21st century pint
The UK Home Office and Materials KTN (a materials knowledge transfer organization) recently held an event called "21st century pint" to address the issue of violence involving glass in British pubs and clubs. There are 87,000 violent incidents involving glass each year and glassings account for 10% of all assault injuries.
The Home Office want safer glasses and bottles, encouraging innovation through a standard based on injury potential.
Peter Davis, BPF Director-General (British Plastics Federation), thinks this is a good opportunity for the plastics industry to provide products which eliminate the possibility of glassings. Plastic pints would be longer lasting, not score in the dishwasher, not break into dangerous shards, have innovative and decorated shapes and could also be designed with closures to reduce the risk of spiked drinks.