According to the latest glass recycling estimates published by the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) and one year ahead of Eurostat’s official data, the average glass recycling rate in the European Union (EU) remains stable at 68%.
The figures indicate that approximately 25 billion glass bottles and jars were collected throughout the EU in 2010.
While the industry makes use of all the glass that is collected, not all types of recycling carry the same environmental benefit. The product closed loop is at the top because it replaces the need for virgin materials within the same product life cycle: 80% of collected glass bottles and jars are recycled in a bottle-to-bottle closed loop recycling system.
According to the figures, by recycling glass in the EU in 2010, more than 12 million tons of raw materials (sand, soda ash, limestone) were saved and more than 7 million tons of CO2 was avoided, which is equal to taking 4 million cars off the road.
“Glass collection and recycling is the perfect component of a circular economy,” says Niall Wall, President of FEVE. “As there is still 32% of glass that is not yet collected, our goal is to get this precious resource back in the bottle-to-bottle loop. With the help of national and EU authorities, collectors and processors, we want to increase the quantities of good quality glass collected so that we can recycle more in our plants,” he added.