Close the Glass Loop recently published data indicating the EU’s average recycling collection rate for glass packaging has continued to progress, reaching 80.8% in 2023 with more than 12 million tonnes collected.
The partnership states that the collection rate may be higher, but tracking has become increasingly difficult as Member States are required to report on effective recycling, but no longer required to report on collection for recycling. Close the Glass Loop says this performance reflects well-established practices in favour of separate glass packaging collection for households and hospitality businesses, and a strong network of operators ensuring collected glass is effectively recycled and brought back to one of the 162 glass packaging manufacturing plants in Europe.
However, the platform notes that while the progress is encouraging, further efforts and investments are needed to bring the necessary step change towards achieving its target of 90% glass collection for recycling by 2030. On a national level, the data shows positive signals from Portugal and Greece, who increased total recycling collection volumes by 12.6% and 11.1% respectively compared to 2022, outpacing the volumes placed on the market.
Close the Glass Loop also reports that Spain recorded a 7% increase in total collected volumes from 2022, jumping from a 69.9% to a 75.9% glass collection for recycling rate. Italy, which represents close to 18% of the total market for glass packaging in the EU, surpassed the 90% glass collection for recycling target for the first time.
In related news, last year the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) advocated for production facilities to adopt low-carbon energy (supported by EU financial instruments) and for customers to keep choosing and recycling glass packaging, in order to meet the glass industry’s net zero goal by 2050. FEVE estimated that that €20 billion in additional capital expenditure – excluding increased operational costs linked to securing and using low-carbon energy sources – will be required by 2050 to upgrade production technologies and decarbonize operations.
This month CCL Label unveiled its EcoShear label designed for one-way glass recycling, said to reduce label contamination to 2% and reduce landfill glass waste to 1.5kg per tonne. According to the company, the new solution has ‘outstanding performance’ with durability and visual appeal on shelves and throughout consumer use, combined with a guarantee for easy recycling at end of life.
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