Latest industry figures published by the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) show the average recycling rate for glass packaging reached 73% across the EU28 in 2013. FEVE report that 25 billion glass containers are being recycled in a bottle to bottle closed loop, which, they say, makes glass a model of the circular economy.
Best performers are Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria and Germany, with Italy, the Netherlands and Malta improving on previous years. The UK comes in just below this average at 68%. Eastern Europe is catching up as the industry begins to address the glass recycling challenges in these countries. Estonia, Slovenia, Slovak Republic and Croatia also recorded promising growth rates. These increased recycling efforts make Europe the continent with the highest glass recycling rates in the world.
According to FEVE President Vitaliano Torno “The high glass recycling rate of 73% shows that the glass packaging model is the best performing closed-loop business model, but more resources need to be invested to improve glass recycling even further and especially in countries lagging behind”.
FEVE quote an Ernst and Young report that finds glass recycling enables the container glass industry to dramatically reduce its environmental footprint by saving energy and raw materials and helps maintain 125,000 stable and local jobs in the EU. Glass plants deliver more than half of their products within 300km and more than 70% of raw materials travel less than 300km.
Adeline Farrelly, FEVE Secretary General commented: “The same glass can be recycled over and over again. We call on the European Commission to acknowledge bottle to bottle multiple recycling in the incoming Circular Economy Proposal: this is key to incentivise real and sustainably sound recycling schemes in the EU and attract investments.”
For packaging including glass, Clarity offer flexible options for PRNS and PERNs. Call us now to find out how we can help your business comply on 0845 129 7177. You can also meet our trading team at RWM 2015 at Birmingham NEC tomorrow on stand 4N39.
