Latest industry data on glass recycling confirms that over 12 million tons of glass bottles and jars are collected and recycled in Europe, with an average glass recycling rate in the EU28 of 74 %⁽¹⁾. Glass remains the best performing food grade closed loop in the world.  The latest industry data have a two-year time lag dating from 2016.

This figure should be set to rise. With the Circular Economy now at the forefront of the political agenda, EU Member States have committed to ambitious targets on municipal waste reduction and glass packaging recycling. This signals a renewed investment in separate collection for glass packaging in the coming years, which will engage consumers, municipalities, Extended Producer Responsibility schemes, recyclers and manufacturers in a collaborative effort to collect, sort and treat the glass that is currently leaking from the system.

“As an industry we commit to actually recycle all collected glass of sufficient quality in the closed loop. An estimated 90 % of what is collected goes into creating new bottles from old ones, offering brands and consumers a food grade quality recycled material. Today, recycled glass is our most important raw material, which brings us major environmental benefits, and energy savings”, commented Adeline Farrelly, FEVE Secretary General.

Our recent study on glass packaging recycling⁽²⁾ demonstrates that countries such as Austria and Sweden have gone beyond 90 % collection for recycling rates by installing bottle bank systems and investing in consumer awareness. Tailored solutions will need to be found locally, but separating glass from the other materials is the best investment for public authorities to meet the new glass recycling targets. Our recent consumer research suggests that particularly for millennials, environmental credentials drive their product choice, and that the take-back culture for glass packaging is very strong where there is bottle bank infrastructure in place⁽³⁾.

“Consumers have a strong connection with glass packaging, which is for them more than just a packaging”, she continued. “Over ten years ago, the industry decided to invest in consumer communications to raise awareness about the importance of glass recycling and the other key assets of glass packaging. We want to help bridge the collection gap, but clearly cannot do so on our own. Efforts across the value chain are needed.”

The average 74 % EU glass collection for recycling rate masks a variety of situations between countries. If we look at performance rates, on the one side, we find countries in the ‘Over 90 %’ top league: Belgium, Finland, Austria, Sweden and Slovenia where separate collection schemes for glass perform very well and provide a high quality secondary raw material for the industry. On the opposite side we find countries in the ’Under 40 %’ league: Greece, Hungary, Slovak Republic, Malta, Romania where the collection culture and, consequently the glass collection schemes have important potential for growth.  Looking at overall volumes of glass collected, the picture in larger countries such as France, Italy, the UK, Poland or Spain is different. In conclusion, each country is different and will need its own focused and tailored strategy to ensure top class glass recycling. In conclusion, each country is different and will need its own focused and tailored strategy to ensure top class glass recycling.

⁽¹⁾ – See FEVE Recycling Statistics published on the FEVE website www.feve.org
⁽²⁾ – See https://feve.org/study-on-impact-assessment-of-deposit-return-schemes
⁽³⁾ – See http://content.presspage.com/uploads/1081/friendsofglass-reportonpackaging-2017.pdf?10000

Strong production growth in 2016 represents a significant increase above the historic average growth rates for glass packaging

Glass packaging production in Europe grew by 2.9 % in volume (Tonnes) and by 2.1 % in unit terms in 2016 according to data published today by the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE)⁽¹⁾. The growth was driven by exports as well as continued demand for glass packaging in food and beverage segments in Europe. A total volume of 20.9 million tonnes or 75.9 billion units were produced in Europe for the EU and international food and beverage markets.

“The buoyant demand for glass is a strong signal of trust from customers in our industry and in glass packaging to help brands stand out on the shelves both in the European market and internationally,” says FEVE President Johan Gorter.

The strong performance in 2016 confirms the steady trend of the last 5 years. Since 2012, the industry has increased its production by 5.8 % in volume and 6.1 per cent in units.

Glass continues to be the reference packaging material for leading markets such as spirits, wines and beer, while it is increasingly gaining share in the food, water and dairy sectors. This is not only due to new consumption trends for local, organic and natural food, but also because of the positive image of glass packaging and the strong consumer trust in glass as their preferred packaging for environmental, health and taste preservation reasons. According to a recent survey⁽²⁾, glass is consumers’ favourite packaging, with 1 in 2 Europeans saying they use more glass than three years ago and 75 % of Europeans view glass as the most environmentally friendly packaging.

“It is encouraging that consumers trust glass because of its sustainability credentials and because it best preserves the quality of their preferred products. As an industry, we are committed to making the inherent properties of glass more visible to our customers and to the final consumer” continues Johan Gorter.

⁽¹⁾Production of container glass for food and beverages in the EU, Switzerland and Turkey based on direct industry production data from FEVE member companies compiled by Vivid Economics for FEVE.
⁽²⁾InSites Research 2016. View Summary report on the Friends of Glass platform.