EU recycling rates increase to 76% high
Latest industry data released by FEVE shows that the EU28 average collection for glass packaging recycling grew to the record rate of 76% in 2017. Top performers are Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia, with over 90% glass collection rates. Just behind are other high achievers like Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, with well beyond 80% rates.
According to FEVE, more needs to be done in countries like Poland, the UK, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary and Portugal, where there is potential for growth. Each country will need its own focused and tailored strategy to ensure more and better recycling.
“The high glass collection for recycling rate of 76% shows that the glass packaging circular economy works very well” commented FEVE Secretary General, Adeline Farrelly. “We are proud that recycled glass is today our most important ingredient in glass packaging for food and beverages. In future we’d like to offer our customers even higher rates to ensure they can in turn continue to offer their customers sustainably produced products.”
Most of the 30 billion containers collected go back into the batch of one of the 160 plants in Europe and make the glass packaging manufacturing industry an authentic and well-functioning circular economy.
