Glass Recycling is Subject of Three UK Projects

The Waste & Resources Action Programme, a United Kingdom-based non-profit with the goal of promoting sustainable waste management practices by boosting markets for recycled materials, is introducing three projects that it hopes will increase the level of glass recycling in the UK.

The projects, being undertaken by the Centre for Environmental Studies in the Hospitality Industry at Oxford Brookes University, Valpak and ECT Recycling, will conduct pilot collections to develop a better understanding of the economic and practical viability of glass collection from urban licensed retail premises. The data will be disseminated to collection organizations to enhance their ability to capture glass from this sector.

Three pilot schemes will be run in three regions of the UK -- Westminster, Bristol and Glasgow. The operators of the pilot program will each collect information on the quality and quantity of glass collected and the economics of collection; the direct costs involved and the willingness of licensees to pay for collection. The three programs will each also focus on specific areas;

Oxford Brookes University will run a three-month trial in Westminster starting August 2004. It aims to collect around 400 metric tons of mixed color material from around 100 premises and will consider the impact of glass crushers. Eight crushers will be installed, and the practicality of collection from urban premises, that often have access issues, will be explored.

ECT Recycling began trials in Bristol where the needs of large pub companies and chains will be considered. The influence of collection frequency and vehicle capacity and impact of color separation on economics and practical viability of schemes will also be assessed. The trials are expected to yield around 235 metric tons of material.

Valpak is running a trial in Glasgow, which will focus on collections from nightclubs, pubs and bars and consider the impact of glass crushers, including the use of crushers front of house as well as behind the bar. This project will also evaluate the influence of staff training and the opportunity and economic feasibility of collecting other dry recyclables from the licensed premises sectors will be assessed.

“Glass container manufacturers in the UK are crying out for more glass and new applications for recycled glass, such as water filtration media, are now coming to market, ” explains Andy Dawe, WRAP’s Material Sector Manager for Glass. “This research aims to provide solutions to assist licensed premises in urban areas to recycle their glass, which will in turn help to meet this unfulfilled demand.”