Manufacturing

Container glass applications

“Remelting” glass, to form new glass products, is probably the most beneficial method of recycling. It has the added bonus of no loss of physical property or quality.

However, due to the dominance of clear glass container manufacture in the UK and the amount of wine we import in green bottles, we have a growing excess of recycled green glass which is either being used in alternative markets or being exported.

Nevertheless, the container manufacturing sector consumed over 700,000 tonnes of UK cullet in 2003, both at home and abroad.

Main benefits:

  • 2% energy decrease for every 10% of recycled glass used in furnace feedstock.
  • Reduction in nitrogen oxides, particulates and carbon dioxide emissions.
  • Every tonne of recycled glass used replaces 1.2 tonnes of quarried materials.
  • Extends service life of furnace.
  • Saving in raw materials cost through PRN system.

Additional resources:

Final Report: Feasibility study for the reduction of colour within the glass furnace.pdf icon (1145 kb)

Final Report: A Study into the Interaction of Imported Wine Bottles and the UKs Cullet Supply.pdf icon (671 kb)

Final Report: Colourite Project - Maximising Cullet Additions in the Glass Container Industry.pdf icon (1679 kb)