This means that about 25 billion glass bottles and jars were collected throughout the EU during 2010.
In the UK, the average total glass recycling figure stands at 61%, although only 600,000 tonnes of the total 1.6 million tonnes collected is currently being sent for remelt.
400,000 tonnes continues to be destined for aggregates, which is of lower environmental benefit than glass remelted for use in new bottles and jars.
Of highest environmental benefit is the closed loop system, where bottles and jars are recycled back into bottles and jars again. In Europe, 80% of collected glass bottles and jars are recycled in this way.
By recycling glass, in 2010 the EU saved more than 12 million tonnes of raw materials (sand, soda ash and limestone), equal to two Egyptian Pyramids’ worth of sand and other raw materials. More than seven million tonnes of C0? was avoided, equal to taking four million cars off the road.
Rebecca Cocking, head of container affairs at British Glass, said: “We welcome the new targets but would still urge the Government that while Local Authorities are not subject to this Legislation, there is a danger that too much cullet will continue to end up in our roads instead of back on the shelf.”
Niall Wall, president of Feve, said: “Glass collection and recycling is the perfect component of a circular economy. As there is still 32% of glass that is not yet collected our goal is to get this precious resource back in the bottle-to-bottle loop.
“With the help of national and EU authorities, collectors and processors we want to increase the quantities of good quality glass collected so that we can recycle more in our plants.”
Source: Feve
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