A Call for Sustainable Change: Glass for Europe’s Manifesto Urges Policymakers to Incentivize Recycling in the Flat Glass Industry
In a compelling conclusion to Glass for Europe’s five-part manifesto, titled ‘A Mandate to Focus on Enabling Sustainable Transformation,’ the latest video underscores the urgency for policymakers to prioritize the recycling of old glazing. Europe’s flat glass manufacturers are at the forefront of advocating for sustainable practices, urging policymakers to align their priorities with the industry’s commitment to recycling. The video introduces key conditions for establishing a closed-loop recycling system, presenting a strategic approach to save raw materials and reduce carbon emissions in the glass production process.
While flat glass manufacturers express eagerness to incorporate more recycled glass into their manufacturing processes, substantial barriers persist. The manifesto’s final video, featuring insights from Joana Arreguy (Saint-Gobain), Christian Quenett (NSG), and Iva Ganev (Glass for Europe), outlines policy measures at the European level. These measures aim to facilitate the effective return of old and broken flat glass to manufacturers’ furnaces, aligning with ongoing industry efforts. Despite the challenges, the video emphasizes that increased recycling is a potent tool to curtail raw material usage and diminish the sector’s CO₂ emissions. However, the next level of progress depends on the establishment of a supportive policy framework.
With an estimated 1.5 million tonnes of waste glass generated annually in the EU, including old windows, facades, and internal partitions, the need for proper recycling becomes apparent. Unfortunately, due to inadequate sorting during renovation and demolition, flat glass often gets mixed with other materials, hindering recyclability. The manifesto proposes specific recycling targets for individual construction materials, ensuring proper dismantling, sorting, and collection of glass. Simultaneously, the EU is called upon to set harmonized by-product criteria, streamlining the transport of waste glass to furnaces.
While the volume of flat glass for recycling may seem modest compared to other construction materials, policymakers are presented with a unique opportunity to foster circularity with limited support measures. By doing so, they can significantly contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions in the flat glass industry.
This concluding video serves as the pinnacle of Glass for Europe’s comprehensive manifesto, providing a foundation for discussions with European officials and civil society. Titled ‘A Mandate to Focus on Enabling Sustainable Transformation,’ these videos aim to shape European policies over the next five years.
Source: Glass for Europe with additional information added by GlassBalkan
