Glass recycling sets off in Albania

Albania has unveiled its first glass recycling line, marking a major milestone in the country’s transition toward a circular economy and sustainable waste management.

The new facility, located in Bubq, north of the capital Tirana, has been funded by the EU and a handful of Albanian partners.

Built by local engineers, the facility line has the capacity to process up to 36 000 tonnes of glass per year, creating partnerships with producers, distributors, hotels, restaurants and bars.

SECOND LIFE IN SWIMMING POOL

From this innovative process, two eco-friendly products will be produced: VetroPool, a recycled glass sand used for water filtration in swimming pools, and Terrazo Glass, a decorative material designed for tiles, interior design and urban spaces.

During the inauguration event, EU delegates highlighted the project as being a ‘concrete example of the circular economy in action’ and ‘a testament to the strong EU–Albania partnership for a greener future’.

Albania’s Minister of Environment Sofjan Jaupaj praised the initiative as a model of collaboration between the government, the private sector and international partners.

RECYCLING BECOMING MATURE 

‘This company will deliver tangible results for a greener economy by reducing waste volumes,’ he said. Several collection and recycling stations have been opened across Albania, ‘helping to recycle a large share of waste and return it to the market reducing both landfill quantities and overall waste across the country.’

Meanwhile, a new waste management law, recently approved by Albania’s parliament, introduces a modern approach aligned with EU environmental standards, placing waste collection and recycling at the centre of policy.

Albania’s current recycling rate is 18%, with an estimated 870 000 tonnes of waste produced per year.