UK – industry and municipalities “should avoid mixed glass collection”

LARAC is advising it‘‘s members to look at the way they manage their glass collections to ensure they protect themselves from changing markets. This comes following constructive discussions with the glass sector regarding UK glass markets and the UK‘‘s well known colour imbalance which leads to an oversupply of green glass when trying to find end markets. LARAC suggests that members should keep colours separated as far down the supply chain as possible and also look at sourcing additional end markets for some of their green glass.



Lee Marshall, Chair of LARAC, said “We found the discussions with the glass sector very useful. It is part of LARAC‘‘s strategy to work closely with other sectors of the waste industry, in this way we can begin to understand the problems they face and they can begin to better understand the challenges local authorities face today. In the case of glass local authorities can help protect themselves from a downturn in the market by keeping the different colours separated as far down the line as possible. Whilst we are not in a position to play the markets, authorities should also examine contracts for each of the colours so that the clear and brown stay within the container market, where there is great potential for growth, but look at other end markets for some of their green.”



Andrew Hartley, Director of Strategy and Communications at British Glass, said “The UK‘‘s natural colour imbalance is accelerating dangerously due to the rapid growth in mixed collection. This is placing great strain on the markets for glass. Keeping colour separation and working together to direct surplus green glass to alternative markets still presents massive market development issues, but is by far the best long term option for the UK”