Consumers are buying more glass than ever before, according to an independent survey of 10,000 consumers in 13 European countries commissioned by Friends of Glass and the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE).
Compared to 2016, more than half of European consumers are now opting for more products in glass packaging, including In Germany, it is almost one in two (48 per cent). At the same time, eight out of ten Germans would recommend glass to friends and family as the best packaging material; this represents an increase of six per cent compared to 2016.
These results are attributable to the growing Awareness of the high recyclability of glass and its environmental compatibility can be traced back to this. Glass is 100 per cent recyclable, is made almost exclusively from natural raw materials (sand, soda, lime) and can be recycled an infinite number of times in a closed cycle - which makes recycled glass the most important raw material for the production of new glass packaging. In fact, two out of five consumers consciously choose glass over other packaging materials because they consider it to be more recyclable.
Sustainability counts for consumers
According to the survey, environmental impact is seen as an important decision criterion when purchasing food and beverages. The majority of consumers (3 out of 4) are „Very concerned“ about the littering caused by food packaging - 35 per cent of respondents cite this as the most important consideration, in Germany the figure is as high as 46 per cent.
The results also show that the vast majority of consumers recycle their glass packaging: 84 per cent of Europeans collect glass separately, The correct method is usually to separate the caps and lids. The local bottle bank is seen by most consumers across Europe as the most convenient method of disposing of used glass.
All of these figures are a step in the right direction for a circular economy in Europe and for achieving important sustainability goals, such as a circular economy. Glass recycling rate of 70 per cent by 2025 and 75 per cent by 2030 in every European country.
„Close the Glass Loop“ for more glass recycling
To this end, the glass industry is currently European industry platform „Close the Glass Loop“ into being. Industry and local authorities are working together to further improve glass collection and recycling. To coincide with the publication of the survey results, the stakeholders of „Close the Glass Loop“ are holding an online conference to discuss how this goal can be realised along the entire value chain.
Also on the road to climate neutrality the industry is making great progress: For the first time ever, many European container glass manufacturers have joined forces to build the „furnace of the future“ - the world's first large Hybrid electric furnace, which runs on 80 per cent green electricity. It is intended to replace the current fossil fuels and reduce CO2-emissions by half. The glass tank should go into operation by 2022 and will be able to melt all types of glass together with recycled glass.
[infotext icon]The independent survey was conducted at the end of 2019 by the market research agency InSites Consulting. It was aimed at consumers aged 25-65 in 13 EU countries: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK. A total of 10,605 Europeans took part in the study[/infotext].„It is encouraging to see that not only is glass recycling on the rise across Europe with a collection rate of 76 per cent, but that the benefits are also reaching consumers. Our aim is to create both a Collection rate of 90 per cent in Europe by 2030 as well as a Complete recycling of glass packaging collected. We therefore want to encourage people to recycle even more and better. In the end, we all benefit from it. So join us in our goal, collects every single glass packaging and recycles it. It's very simple, will have a huge impact on our planet and will make a big difference for future generations.“
Dr Johann Overath, Managing Director of the Bundesverband Glasindustrie e.V. and spokesman for Friends of Glass in Germany.
Source: Friends of Glass
