Keeping glass recycling local - cullet export to Europe increases by 31%

Keeping glass recycling local - cullet export to Europe increases by 31%
Photo source
www.britglass.org.uk

Date: 23 August 2023

The amount of cullet being exported from the UK to mainland Europe is increasing year-on-year.

British Glass, the representative body for the UK glass industry, has released a new infographic on the importance of keeping glass recycling local. The document highlights the benefits of a circular economy for glass within the UK, which can be recycled, remelted down, and remoulded infinitely without ever reducing its quality.

Currently, a significant amount of waste glass is exported from the UK to mainland Europe, which has negative impacts on the environment and economy. The export of glass cullet rose by 79,000 tonnes last year – a 31% increase compared to 2021. By keeping glass recycling local, we can decrease the use of non-renewable resources, reduce carbon emissions, and open opportunities for local companies to market their participation in the circular economy.

The infographic also provides a list of reprocessors in the UK who provide glass recycling services and calls on local authorities to consider the destination of collected waste glass to support the UK circular economy and industry decarbonisation efforts. The glass industry contributes around £1.6bn to the UK economy each year, providing 24,000 direct jobs and more than 150,000 jobs across the whole supply chain.

"We urge local authorities to support the UK circular economy for glass and decarbonisation efforts by keeping glass recycling local," said Dave Dalton, CEO of British Glass. "One of the great advantages of glass is it’s infinite recyclability without losing quality, which we should be taking advantage of within a closed loop as best we can. By doing so, we can make a positive impact on the environment and economy, and create more jobs in the UK glass industry."

To view the full infographic, please see the PDF below.

Document

BG Circular Economy Infographic.pdf (407.07 KB)

For more information on glass recycling and the circular economy, please visit the British Glass recycling page.

600450 Keeping glass recycling local - cullet export to Europe increases by 31% glassonweb.com

Others also read

Program designed for glass fabrication company executives, technical leaders and plant personnel
The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) has updated a specification describing the use of aerosol foams developed specifically for application with fenestration products.
Glass for Europe shares its position on the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act, urging smart, low-burden measures to support flat glass decarbonisation.
FGIA has released an updated specification aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and durability through the use of solar reflective finishes on building components.
British Glass is pleased to announce the appointment of Dean Butler, UK Business Development Director at Ardagh Group, as its new President.
During the last months, Glass for Europe’s Environment experts have been working towards a harmonised definition of recycled content in the flat glass sector.

Add new comment

NEWS RELATED PRODUCTS