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European Glass Recycling Rates On The Rise

23 February 2011

According to the latest data released by FEVE, the European Container Glass Federation, glass recycling rates are on an all time high with a reported 67 percent in 2009, translating to a collection of around 25 billion glass bottles. This spells good news for the industry and reflects the general populace realising the importance and the growing environmental need for recycling and the efforts put in by the European Commission and governments to improve glass recycling schemes.

Further, the figures also throw light on the fact that 11 countries are now recycling over 75 percent of their glass with Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands leading the pack with a phenomenal rate of 90 percent. UK, the data reveals, is currently at 61.74 percent.

Jose Lorente, president, Owens-Illinois Europe said: "The fact that European recycling rates have increased yet again is good news for the glass packaging industry. By increasing the proportion of cullet (recycled glass) we use, we are able to reduce energy use and offer an even more sustainable product."

Glass is the only material that can be recycled "cradle-to-cradle," which means it is 100 percent recyclable and can be put back to use any number of times. It takes less energy to melt cullet than raw materials. And for every 10 percent of the cullet used, CO2 emissions are reduced by about five percent and energy use by three percent.

Further, recycled glass manufacturing involves a simple process and very little energy, to manufacture a new glass container of the exact same size, quality and shape within 30 days. This contrasts with some other packaging materials, which are effectively "down-cycled" rather than recycled.

FEVE is the association of European manufacturers of glass containers and machine-made glass tableware. FEVE members produce over 20 million tonnes of glass per year. The association has some 60 corporate members belonging to approximately 20 independent corporate groups. Manufacturing plants are located across 23 European States and include global blue chip and major companies working for the world's biggest consumer brands.

Krishna Buddhiraju