EU's Glass Value Chain Confirms 80.1% Glass Collection Rate
The EU average collection of glass packaging for recycling was 80.1% in 2021, according to the latest data released by Close the Glass Loop. The multi-stakeholder partnership aims to reach a post-consumer glass container collection target of 90% by 2030, and to ensure that this is recycled back into glass containers.
“Separate collection is the most important step to increase glass recycling and 17 EU countries are on track to meet their 2025 recycling targets. However, the European Commission also recently identified 10 Member States at risk of not meeting their targets. This confirms the importance of Close the Glass Loop to strengthen collaboration along the glass packaging value chain to improve collection infrastructure, recycling processes and consumer communications,” says Adeline Farrelly, Secretary General of FEVE on behalf of Close the Glass Loop partners.
Portugal is one of the countries identified as unlikely to reach the 2025 EU glass recycling target. The launch last year of Vidro+, a Close the Glass Loop national action programme in Portugal, represents a strong commitment from the glass packaging value chain to accelerate glass collection and recycling in Portugal.
“With 54.4% collection for recycling rate in 2021, Portugal is below the EU average but also one of the EU Member States with the most potential for collecting and recycling glass packaging. It is also the European country with the highest glass production per capita, almost four times higher than its consumption needs,” says Tiago Moreira da Silva, Coordinator Vidro+.
