Glass Recycling in Europe Increases

Estimated figures by the EU Container Glass Federation (FEVE) show that more than 67 percent of the glass bottles and jars in European Union countries were collected for recycling in 2009. The figures were released one year before the official Eurostat data is to be released.

FEVE’s figures show that roughly 11 million metric tons of glass bottles and jars were collected for recycling throughout the European Union, a slight increase from the 66 percent recovery rate reported in 2008.

“Glass recycling increases each year thanks to the commitment of consumers everywhere. Our industry is able to turn this waste into a valuable resource to make new bottles and jars because glass by nature is 100 percent recyclable,” says Niall Wall, president of FEVE.

“I believe strongly in moves to make Europe more resource efficient,” says Linda McAvan, a member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire and the Humber. “EU Directives set out a requirement to increase recycling rates as they will help to reduce demand for primary raw materials, to reuse valuable materials which would otherwise end up as waste, and to reduce energy consumption. This is fundamental to build a solid resource efficient economy.”