The recycling of glass packaging in the European Union reached a new high in 2024. According to the latest data from Close the Glass Loop, 82.2 percent of glass was collected for recycling. This figure reflects the efficiency of the separate collection systems that have been implemented across Europe. However, there are differences between the Member States.
Although the average collection rate in the EU is impressive, there are considerable differences between individual member states. While some countries have already achieved high collection rates, others still need to make significant progress to reach the goals of Close the Glass Loop. The stated aim of the initiative is to achieve a collection rate of 90 percent by 2030. This requires intensified efforts at the national level to close the existing gaps.
The importance of collaboration
Françoise Bonnet, Secretary General of the Association of Cities and Regions for Sustainable Resource Management (ACR+), stresses the need for greater collaboration between municipalities and industry. „Local authorities play a key role in ensuring the supply of secondary raw materials in the circular economy,“ Bonnet stated. Enhanced partnership could further increase collection and recycling rates, ultimately bringing both environmental and economic benefits to citizens.
Investments in recycling capacity
Carlo Pirrone, Secretary General of the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE), highlights that glass can be recycled repeatedly, regardless of where it is consumed. The next step is to strengthen local capacities and make targeted investments where they can have the greatest impact. This is particularly important in countries with significant collection gaps.
Investment in glass recycling facilities
Besides increasing the collection volume, the quality of recycling is also crucial. According to Rene Schroeder, Secretary General of the European Glass Recyclers’ Federation (FERVER), investments in glass recycling facilities are of critical importance for creating a closed-loop system. It is estimated that 85 percent of collected glass packaging material is recycled in a closed loop. However, to maximise the amount of glass actually recycled, attention must also be paid to the quality of collection and the recyclability of glass packaging.
The efforts to improve recycling quality are based on the design-for-recycling criteria developed by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN). These criteria are to be implemented within the framework of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. Full data on glass recycling collection and its development since 2020 are available on the Close the Glass Loop website.
Source: Close the Glass Loop
