The multi-stakeholder platform Close The Glass Loop brings together the glass packaging value chain. The aim is to collect and recycle 90 per cent of glass packaging by 2030.
Stakeholders from the glass collection and recycling sector have now launched a major programme to promote the entire European value chain around glass packaging with each other. The common goal is to promote bottle-to-bottle recycling.
76 per cent of glass packaging in Europe is already collected
This step is intended to drive forward the European circular economy, as envisaged in the new EU agenda for sustainable growth following the adoption of the European Green Deal. Glass is a packaging material that can be recycled an infinite number of times. Across Europe 76 per cent of the glass packaging placed on the market is collected for recycling. This has long been a good example of a Successful circular economy.
Close The Glass Loop officially founded on 30 June
The Europe-wide action platform Close the Glass Loop aims to increase the glass collection rate to 90 per cent by 2030. The initiative is backed by twelve European associations, glass manufacturers and processors, bottlers, brands, retailers, dual systems and local authorities.
The online launch event on 30 June brought together over 200 participants as well as the founding partners and national representatives from eleven countries (France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Sweden and Ireland), to officially launch the platform and to sign the European action plans.
Common approach to the circular economy
EU Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius, who took part in the online event with a video message, explained: "Glass is a great example of a circular material. You are all already achieving excellent results in collection and recycling. But today you are proving that you want to do more (...) I am confident that you will fulfil your mission and make the platform Close The Glass Loop to the next level in the waste hierarchy.“
The European Action Plan, which FEVE President Michel Giannuzzi presented at the launch event, aims to address structural challenges in the glass collection and recycling chain that are common to most EU countries. As municipalities are seen as key players in mobilising collection, the partners of Close The Glass Loop work closely with the municipalities.
„We have the advantage of working with a material that is Naturally 100 per cent and infinitely recyclable is. It is already a success story in terms of sustainability. The more often we recycle glass, the less we pollute the environment or have to resort to new raw materials. At the same time, we can offer high-quality packaging in terms of quality preservation, health and safety. Today 76 per cent of glass packaging on the EU market collected for recycling, but there is still a lot of room for improvement. We need to fully utilise the benefits of glass and recycle more and better.“ Michel Giannuzzi, FEVE President
Customised action plans needed at local level
Austria, Spain, France and Sweden presented their national action plans in the report. They highlight the diverse approaches in the EU Member States and emphasise the need for tailor-made action plans at local level. At the same time, the plans reflect the importance of a coordinated approach at European level to share best practices, close the collection gap and optimise the quality of recycled glass (cullet).
Greater availability of high-quality cullet means a greater more resource-efficient production process. It ensures the productivity of resources in a Bottle-to-bottle production cycle and provides a high-quality, safe and 100 per cent recycled packaging material.
Source: FEVE
