Two recent surveys have shown that glass packaging is associated with product protection, quality, and recyclability.
A representative survey by the German Packaging Institute (dvi) demonstrates the importance of packaging recyclability for consumers, with 48% of those surveyed placing recyclability as their top expectation for packaging.
Dorothée Richardt, Managing Director of container glass at the German Glass Industry Association and spokesperson for the Glass Packaging Action Forum, said: “Recyclability has become a key quality feature of packaging for consumers.
“Glass is valued for precisely this reason: it stands for trust, security and recyclability.
“Those who package food and beverages in glass are picking up on a strong consumer preference.”
A representative YouGov survey of German residents commissioned by the Glass Packaging Action Forum reinforced the importance of recyclability for consumers and showed that glass benefits from its 100% recyclable nature.
YouGov reported that 62% of respondents cited recyclability as an advantage of glass packaging. 85% also classified glass as very or rather environmentally friendly.
Glass was also ahead when packaging was directly compared.
Across all product groups, 45% of those surveyed preferred products made of glass.
The German Packaging Institute survey also revealed that actual rates of recycling are often underestimated.
Only 31.2% of the survey knew that more than 80% of glass is recycled – up to 82.8% in 2024.
The Glass Packaging Action forum viewed this statistic as a sign that although many people are aware of the advantages of glass, the actual strength of the recycling system can be communicated more clearly.
Dorothée Richardt said “Glass is a packaging material that people know, use and trust.
“This trust is important for the circular economy: because those who are convinced that packaging can be recycled sensibly are more likely to return it to the correct collection cycle after use.”
