The average rate of collecting glass packaging for recycling in the EU in 2023 was 80.8%, up from 80.2% the year before. The 2030 target is 90%.
On a national level, Portugal and Greece, increased by 12.6 and 11.1 percentage points respectively, outpacing the volumes placed on the market. Spain jumped from 69.9% to 75.9% while Italy, which represents nearly a fifth of the total EU market, surpassed the 90% target for the first time.
The data has been released by Close the Glass Loop (CGL),a platform covering the glass collection and recycling value chain that is looking to establish a material stewardship programme for more bottle-to-bottle recycling.
Tracking issue
CGL says collection volumes ‘remain exceptionally high’ with more than 12 million tonnes of glass packaging collected for recycling. But it points out that tracking has become increasingly difficult as Member States now have to focus on recycling output, rather than collection for recycling.
‘This performance reflects well-established practices in favour of glass packaging separate collection for households and hospitality businesses alike, 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,’ it says in a news release.
More effort needed
Further efforts and investments are said to be needed towards achieving the 2030 target of 90%.
‘Across the value chain there is a strong commitment to keep improving cost-effective separate collection system for glass packaging, both for households and hospitality businesses,’ says Carlo Pirrone, secretary general of the European Container Glass Federation. ‘Once glass packaging is collected, we estimate that 85% is effectively recycled in a closed loop. This is what gives glass packaging a unique role in Europe’s circular economy.’
Olivier Deweerdt, secretary general of the European Glass Recyclers’ Federation, adds: ‘Today’s progress shows that we are moving in the right direction but there is still untapped potential to collect more glass and supply the glass manufacturing industry.’
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