The European glass associations Ferver and Feve have presented a technical report analysing the sortability and recyclability of opaque packaging glass. The study provides reliable data on the performance of the European glass recycling infrastructure.
The European Federation of Glass Recyclers Ferver and the European Container Glass Federation Feve have welcomed the publication of a new technical report by the Italian research centre Stazione Sperimentale del Vetro (SSV). The study, commissioned by Feve, examines the effective recycling performance of opaque packaging glass in Europe and assesses the extent to which current optical sorting systems can reliably recognise opaque glass cullet.
The aim of the study was to determine the minimum value of light transmission above which opaque glass fragments are clearly identified as glass by the optical sorting technologies used in waste glass processing plants. This was based on extensive laboratory measurements and industrial trials on a European scale, which reflect the current state of the art in glass recycling infrastructure.
Real sorting performance higher than expected
The results show that modern optical sorting systems can reliably detect opaque glass cullet with an average transmission of more than 2.5 per cent in visible light. The measurements were carried out according to the opacity protocol currently defined by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) with the involvement of the International Technical Center for Bottling and Related Packaging (CETIE). According to the authors of the study, the actual sorting performance significantly exceeds the threshold values defined in individual national packaging laws.
To validate the results, SSV carried out industrial tests in nine waste glass processing plants in various European countries. A total of 2,700 kilograms of standardised cullet from different opaque glass packaging was processed. Under real operating conditions, the reject rates for ceramics, stones and porcelain were recorded and various sorting techniques were compared.
Recycling-friendly design for glass packaging
The results of the study will be incorporated into the CEN's ongoing work to develop technical specifications for the recyclable design of glass packaging. These specifications will be developed with the involvement of the entire value chain - from glass manufacturers, processing plants and bottlers to machine suppliers and EPR systems. The aim is to regularly adapt recyclability guidelines to technological developments in collection, sorting and recycling.
According to the two associations, the study provides a sound technical basis for future regulatory decisions at European level. It helps to ensure that the criteria for recyclable packaging design are realistic and to further strengthen the circular economy in the glass sector.
Source: Glass packaging action forum
