The European glass industry marked a new milestone in 2023, with the average glass packaging collection rate reaching 80.8%, according to the latest data from Close the Glass Loop. This figure reflects a 0.6% increase over 2022 and represents over 12 million tonnes of glass collected for recycling, a clear sign of the sector’s resilience and dedication to circularity.
Glass: A Champion of Closed-Loop Recycling
“Once collected, an estimated 85% of glass packaging is effectively recycled in a closed loop,” emphasized Carlo Pirrone, Secretary General of FEVE (European Container Glass Federation). This closed-loop capacity makes glass unique in Europe’s packaging ecosystem, preserving material quality across multiple lifecycles and reducing reliance on virgin resources.
National Leaders Emerging
Notable progress was seen at the national level: Portugal (+12.6%), Greece (+11.1%), and Spain (+7%) all recorded strong year-on-year gains. Italy, responsible for nearly 18% of EU glass packaging, surpassed the 90% collection milestone for the first time, setting a benchmark for others to follow.
Challenges Ahead: From Collection to Effective Recycling
As Member States shift to reporting on effective recycling rather than collection volumes, data complexity increases. However, the message from the industry remains clear: the focus must now be on quality collection systems and expanding capacity. 
Olivier Deweerdt of FERVER concluded: “Every additional tonne collected is a resource that strengthens the European glass manufacturing base. Meeting targets is essential, but exceeding them builds resilience.”
Source: Ferver.eu with additional information added by Glass Balkan
