Project Addresses Glass Recycling Markets

The UK-based Waste & Resources Action Programme has begun work on a number of glass recycling projects aimed at tackling recent market developments that affect the collection and reprocessing of glass packaging.

The projects will investigate various cost and operational issues relating to the collection, separation and reprocessing of source separated and mixed glass.

"Many local authorities are focusing on increased collections of glass at the curbside as a way of meeting their tonnage-based recycling targets," explains Andy Dawe, WRAP's Material Sector Manager for glass. "One of the aims of these projects is to promote a sound understanding of the different options available and the relative costs and benefits."

Three main projects form the backbone of the work planned for the next 12 months. WRAP's ROTATE team contracted ESYS Consulting Ltd to carry out research on the economics of curbside separation in glass collection relative to separation further down the reprocessing chain. This will provide guidance for local authorities on developing curbside collection schemes.

This month, WRAP will be commissioning a second project to determine the viability of establishing regional color sorting facilities. The work will determine the optimum sizes and locations, as well as assessing the merits of private or public ownership and the economic viability of a network of such facilities. The project will be completed in October.

An economic review is also due to be commissioned shortly to assess the monetary flows accompanying the material flows at each point in the glass recycling supply chain. The principal objective of this project is to identify the economics that accompany the recovered glass right through from collection to the various end markets. Where markets are not yet established, an assessment of the cost benefit to that market will be made. This information, together with processing cost data, will help to develop a better understanding of the conditions under which particular markets are economically viable.

"We have to understand the potential importance of the factors that impact on the end market values for collected glass," says Andy Dawe. "Understanding the short term barriers to container glass reprocessing is a critical part of ensuring the long term success of the glass recycling sector."