EU glass packaging industry aims for 90% recycling collection rate

Over 76% of glass packaging placed on the European market is collected for “bottle to bottle” recycling, already putting the circularity of glass in a "league of its own". Industry CEOs have unanimously agreed to set up the “Close the Glass Loop” programme with the common ambition to achieve an EU-wide 90% collection for recycling target for glass packaging by 2030. The programme will be shaped in the coming months with value chain partners, with initial discussions on collaboration already underway. The official platform launch is planned in June 2020. “Our goal is to keep increasing the sustainability credentials of the glass packaging solutions we provide to our customers and consumers,” stated FEVE President Michel Giannuzzi. “We are proud to lead ‘Close the Glass Loop’, an industry-wide initiative that will have real benefits for the market and our planet alike: it is our call for action to deliver an ambitious Circular Economy Action Plan for glass.” This initiative aims to bring together the different stakeholders of the glass collection and recycling loop under a common European platform, with a twofold objective of closing the collection gap and improving the quality of recycled glass (cullet), so that resources remain productive in a bottle-to-bottle manufacturing loop. The organisation argues that more availability of good quality cullet means a more resource-efficient production process, reportedly providing a premium level, safe and truly recycled packaging material.