United Kingdom Recycled Glass Market Overview,2030

The United Kingdom’s recycled glass market has undergone significant advancements in recent years, with a focus on achieving sustainability targets while driving the circular economy. Glass recycling in the UK is among the most efficient in Europe, with a recycling rate of around 70%, as reported by the Glass Recycling UK association. The evolution of this market is driven by innovations in collection and sorting methods, especially the increased use of automated sorting systems like optical sorters and AI technologies, which improve the quality of the recycled glass while minimizing contamination. In cities like London, curbside collection has become the norm, ensuring that residents play an active role in recycling. Industrial collection and recycling, on the other hand, are mostly carried out by companies such as Biffa and Viridor, which operate large-scale glass processing facilities. These technologies are complemented by energy-efficient melting and crushing processes, significantly reducing the carbon footprint compared to the production of virgin glass. The Zero Waste Scotland initiative has been crucial in promoting the benefits of glass recycling, such as energy savings recycled glass consumes 30% less energy than newly produced glass. Moreover, advancements in glass reformation techniques, including the use of recycled glass in the production of bottles, jars, and even construction materials, help achieve a circular economy. This transition towards circularity is also supported by regulatory frameworks, such as the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations, which encourage manufacturers to invest in glass recycling systems. As the UK pushes for net-zero emissions by 2050, glass recycling plays a key role in reducing landfill waste and promoting environmental sustainability, which aligns with the growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products.

According to the research report ""United Kingdom Recycled Glass Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the United Kingdom Recycled Glass market is anticipated to grow at more than 5.38% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The UK’s recycled glass market is characterized by robust competition, with several leading players driving technological innovation and sustainability efforts. Companies like Encirc, Saint-Gobain, and Glass Futures are major contributors, each employing cutting-edge recycling technologies to maximize the quality and efficiency of glass processing. The market benefits from strong consumer awareness and participation, partly fueled by public campaigns like Recycle Now, which has successfully educated the public on the importance of recycling glass. Consumer preferences for sustainable packaging have also spurred demand for recycled glass, particularly in the food and beverage industry, where companies like Coca-Cola and Heineken have committed to using recycled materials in their packaging. Furthermore, the increasing use of recycled glass in the automotive sector is another growth area. For instance, companies such as Jaguar Land Rover have begun incorporating recycled glass into car components, including windows and insulation, aligning with both sustainability goals and cost reduction strategies. Despite these positive trends, the UK glass recycling market faces challenges, such as fluctuations in supply and demand, and the cost-effectiveness of recycling processes amidst rising energy prices. The demand for high-quality recycled glass continues to outpace supply, leading to occasional shortages. However, significant investments in recycling infrastructure by both the government and private sector such as SUEZ Recycling and Recovery’s new glass processing plant in London are addressing these gaps. Moreover, the use of recycled glass in renewable energy technologies, including solar panels, demonstrates the material’s versatility and continued relevance in an increasingly green economy.

The glass recycling market in the UK is divided into several key categories based on the type of glass being recycled, namely container glass, flat glass, and fiberglass and specialty glass. Container glass represents the largest segment of the UK’s glass recycling industry. This category includes glass packaging used for beverages, food, and other consumer products. The UK has well-established systems for collecting and recycling container glass, with significant participation from local councils in curbside collection schemes, bottle bank collections, and the successful bottle deposit return scheme. Recycled container glass is commonly used in the production of new glass bottles, jars, and other containers, helping to conserve raw materials like sand, soda ash, and limestone while reducing energy consumption in glass manufacturing. Flat glass consists of products like windows, mirrors, automotive glass, and glass used in buildings and infrastructure. Recycling flat glass can be more challenging due to the presence of coatings, adhesives, and other contaminants that make the glass more difficult to process. However, with growing demand for sustainable building materials, recycled flat glass is increasingly being used in construction projects and automotive manufacturing. Fiberglass and specialty glass make up another important segment of the UK’s glass recycling market. This category includes materials like fiberglass insulation, which is crucial for energy-efficient buildings, and specialty glass used in electronics, solar panels, and other high-performance products. Recycling fiberglass helps reduce waste in the construction industry, and as the demand for sustainable insulation materials rises, the recycling of fiberglass is expected to grow.

In the UK, the glass recycling market relies on two primary sources of glass: post-consumer and post-industrial glass. Post-consumer glass is by far the most significant source of recycled glass and consists of used glass containers such as bottles, jars, and other glass packaging that have been discarded after their initial use. This glass is collected through curbside recycling schemes, drop-off points, and bottle return systems. In the UK, the bottle return scheme has become particularly successful in promoting recycling, ensuring that a large proportion of glass containers are returned for reuse. Post-consumer glass is cleaned and sorted to remove contaminants like labels, food remnants, and metal caps before being processed and used to create new glass products. The high recycling rates in the UK are supported by a well-organized collection system that makes it easy for consumers to participate in glass recycling efforts. Post-industrial glass, on the other hand, refers to the waste glass generated during the manufacturing process. This includes glass scrap, production waste, and off-cuts that are produced when glass is made. Post-industrial glass is often cleaner and less contaminated than post-consumer glass, which makes it easier and more cost-effective to recycle. This type of glass is typically collected directly from manufacturing plants and used in the production of new glass products. In the UK, post-industrial glass is particularly valuable in producing new glass containers and construction materials, where purity is a key requirement. While post-consumer glass makes up the bulk of the recycled glass market in the UK, post-industrial glass plays an important supporting role in maintaining the quality and efficiency of the recycling process.

Glass bottle and container manufacturing is the largest application for recycled glass in the UK. Recycled glass is predominantly used to make new bottles, jars, and other packaging materials, primarily for the food, beverage, and cosmetics industries. The use of recycled glass in manufacturing new containers reduces the need for virgin raw materials and decreases the energy required to produce new glass. The UK has a high glass recycling rate, supported by robust collection systems like the bottle deposit return scheme, which contributes to the continued supply of recycled glass for this sector. In construction and infrastructure, recycled glass is used in various applications such as aggregates in concrete and asphalt. Glass aggregates can improve the strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal of these materials, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional aggregates. Additionally, recycled glass is used in the production of decorative tiles and surfaces, making it a valuable material in eco-friendly construction projects. Fiberglass insulation is another significant end use for recycled glass in the UK. Recycled glass is commonly used to produce fiberglass, a key material for insulating buildings and improving energy efficiency. As the demand for sustainable and energy-efficient building materials grows, the recycling of glass into fiberglass insulation plays a crucial role in meeting these needs. The ceramic and tile manufacturing sector also relies on recycled glass, which is used to make eco-friendly tiles and ceramics. These materials are in high demand for use in both residential and commercial construction, where they provide sustainable alternatives to conventional products. The other applications for recycled glass in the UK include its use in road markings, reflective signage, and even in the creation of decorative glass products like art pieces.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Recycled Glass Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Type of Glass
• Container Glass
• Flat Glass
• Fiberglass & specialty glass

By Source / Origin
• Post-consumer
• Post-industrial

By End Use Application
• Glass Bottle & Container Manufacturing
• Construction & infrastructure
• FiberGlass Insukation
• Ceramic and tiles
• Others Show more