British Glass updates glass recycling roadmap

British Glass’ updated report outlines how the UK can reach a 90% glass packaging recycling rate by 2030.

British Glass, the trade association representing the UK glass manufacturing industry, has updated its report titled ‘A Roadmap to Closed Loop Glass Recycling’.

The document was created in collaboration with climate action non-government organisation (NGO) WRAP, and uses the latest data and insights into glass recycling.

The roadmap emphasises the necessity of improving both the quality and quantity of glass collected.

It advocates for two-stream recycling systems, public awareness initiatives, and alignment with upcoming legislative frameworks such as Simpler Recycling.

Nick Kirk, Technical Director at British Glass, said: "The updated roadmap is a significant step forward in our mission to transform the UK's glass recycling infrastructure.

“By implementing the recommendations on the collection of glass as outlined in this report, we can move closer to a true circular economy of glass, ensuring that more glass packaging is not only recycled but reprocessed into new glass packaging here in the UK.

“We look forward to supporting the waste collection sector in collecting more good quality glass, to continue the increase in the recycled content of UK manufactured glass packaging.”

The updated roadmap makes use of the latest available glass data for the UK including composition by stream, exports, and PRN returns.

The report also reveals the highest and lowest performing local authorities in terms of household glass collection, highlighting those that do not currently collect glass at kerbside.

It also provides actionable insights into optimising collection and sorting processes, ensuring that more glass is recycled back into new glass packaging.

British Glass and WRAP encourage stakeholders across the glass manufacturing and recycling sectors, as well as local authorities and policymakers, to engage with the roadmap and support its implementation.

With the UK recycling rate for glass being just under 75%, improvements can still be made to capture more glass at high quality levels.

The Welsh Collection Blueprint is used as an example of good practice, with 2023 figures showing 92% of glass disposed at home in Wales is placed in the recycling box.

For further information, please visit the full report here.