More recycled glass needed

GLASS recycling in the UK has reached a critical point, warns a new report from the trade federation, British Glass.

The Glass Recycling Report 2004 - Towards Sustainable Development, outlines the current state of recycling, the achievements of the industry to date and the significant challenges ahead.

The federation says there has never been a more challenging time for glass recycling. Despite strong demand for recycled glass, stable prices and government funding direct to local authorities for expanded collection infrastructure, some glass packaging manufacturers still cannot access all the recycled glass they could use.

The Packaging & Packaging Waste regulations require the UK to recycle 60% of all glass bottles and jars by 2008.

Andrew Hartley, British Glass director of strategy and communications, said: "With 2.3 million tonnes of glass in the waste stream this means we have to recycle 1.4 million tonnes by 2008. Last year the UK recycled around 875,000 tonnes."

To increase glass recycling by more than 120,000 tonnes each year for the next five years, said Hartley, "it is vital that collection infrastructure continues expanding".