FERVER – the European Federation of Glass Recyclers (1) – joins “Close the Glass Loop” – the major industry stewardship programme for glass packaging recently kicked-off by FEVE (2). If one major target of the platform is to reach a post-consumer glass container collection target of 90%, the other one is to ensure that the recycled material is reused again into a new production loop of glass containers.
“We are eager to collaborate on the Close the Glass Loop platform. We fully support its mission and objectives, and we are glad to be involved in its shaping from its early stages – says Ulrich Ix, President of FERVER. “Recycled glass is a precious resource for the container glass production loop. It means a more resource-efficient production process, more sustainable and competitive glass packaging solutions for the market, more opportunities of sustainable growth for the whole glass packaging Circular Economy”.
“Cullet processing companies are a key enabler to the final recycling of post-consumer glass into a new production loop. This can’t simply happen if collected glass is not properly sorted, treated and upgraded into a furnace-ready raw material” – stated Michel Giannuzzi, President of FEVE. “The collaboration with FERVER members is therefore fundamental if we want to achieve the Close the Glass Loop objectives. We are really glad to count on their collaboration.”
The “Close the Glass Loop” initiative aims to unite the container glass value chain under a multi-stakeholder European programme. FERVER and its national member companies will collaborate to the design of the national action plans that should be presented next year at the official launch of the platform. Increased collection of post-consumer glass packaging (or cullet) must go abreast with its higher quality collection. This will enhance the processing phase and lead to greater recycling of glass into new production loops. Where collection systems remain poor, it will be important to optimize and develop sorting and treatment systems to increase yields and generate more furnace-ready cullet.
Interested parties may contact Mrs Adeline Farrelly – FEVE Secretary General – and Baudouin Ska, FERVER Secretary General for more information on the “Close the Glass Loop” programme (2).
(1) Please find more information on FERVER website
(2) You can find more information on the “Close the Glass Loop” programme on the FEVE website
About Glass
Made of minerals abundant in nature - sand, soda-ash, recycled glass and limestone - glass is a 100% and infinitely recyclable material, manufactured in a one-step process under one roof. The majority of collected glass bottles and jars are used repeatedly to produce new food grade glass packaging in the closed loop system. Each time a bottle or jar is recycled into new containers, energy and raw materials are also saved and less CO2 is emitted. In the EU, by recycling glass, over 12 million tons of raw materials are saved each year and over 7 million tons of CO2 are avoided - equal to taking 4 million cars off the road. We save 2.5% energy and 5% of CO2 for each 10% of glass recycled in the furnace.
About FERVER
FERVER is the European association of glass recycling companies, with more than 40 members spread over 20 countries, including 3 non-EU Countries (Norway, Russia and Turkey). The association aims to bring together glass recycling industries at the European level. FERVER promotes, on a sustainable basis, the dialogue with European Union institutions and European organizations linked to glass recycling. See more on www.ferver.org
About FEVE
FEVE is the Federation of European manufacturers of glass containers and machine-made glass tableware. Its members produce over 20 million tons of glass per year. The association has some 60 corporate members belonging to approximately 20 independent corporate groups. Manufacturing plants are located across 23 European States and include global blue chip and major companies working for the world’s biggest consumer brands. See more on www.feve.org.
About the Container Glass Recyclers
FERVER members are active in the recycling of waste glass into high quality cullet - a key and valuable raw material used by the glass manufacturing industry to produce new products. Our members are collectively responsible for the collection and recycling of approximately 70% of the total container glass waste in the European Union. They are also active in the collection and recycling of flat glass from the building and automotive sectors.
About the Container Glass Industry
The European container glass industry provides a wide range of glass packaging products for food and beverages as well as flacons for perfumery, cosmetics and pharmacy to their European and world customers. With its 160 manufacturing plants distributed all over Europe, it is an important contributor to Europe’s real economy and maintains 125.000 direct and indirect jobs along the total supply chain. See more on www.feve.org.
