How to protect and preserve products and, at the same time, move towards a more sustainable packaging model?
Among glass, PET, aluminum and multilayer polylaminate, it is the first to stand out for its ability to be recycled infinitely without losing quality.
The recent study “The recyclability of container materials: the specificity of glass”, created by Vincenzo Maria Sglavo, professor at the University of Trento, confirms the value of glass packaging, a material that enjoys a recycling rate of 81,9%, according to estimates for 2024.
The virtuous cycle of glass packaging: production and recycling
Thanks to its unalterable nature, glass imposes itself as the true champion of the circular economy. Not only can it be reused infinite times, but it is also the ideal packaging for long-term storage of products.
The comparative survey highlighted how the production of virgin glass, compared to competing materials, requires smaller quantities of energy and water (14 litres per kg, compared to 1.350 and 1.000 for multilayer and aluminium), reducing CO2 emissions.
As regards the recycling, glass and aluminum are the winners of the challenge. Glass offers a high quality secondary raw material. Its second processing is the most efficient in terms of energy consumption, with just 9 MJ/kg. Furthermore, for each ton of recycled glass cullet, a reduction in CO2 emissions of nearly 300 grams is calculated.
Between limits and advantages
The other side of the coin? The weight checked: a half-litre glass container weighs 15 times more than an aluminium can of the same capacity.
The glass industry is working to address this limitation in order to reduce emissions during transportation and the amount of resources required to handle glass packaging.
Glass has a very well developed collection and recycling system in Italy. Furthermore, it retains a crucial advantage over competing packaging materials: the chemical stability, this property makes it safe for the food sector even after numerous recycling sequences.
Our material is therefore one of the most coherent solutions with the principles ofThe circular economy. From its long useful life to the possibility of infinite recycling, through its safety of use and environmental performance, glass continues to demonstrate its value. And it is precisely this combination of qualities that makes it, once again, the material of excellence for those who look to the future with responsibility.
Sources: greenme.it, agi.it
