2 April 2020; UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe has joined the Close the Glass Loop platform, the European ambition to collect glass more and better, together, led by FEVE, the European Container Glass Federation.

With its mission of achieving an EU average 90% ‘collection for recycling’ rate by 2030, as a milestone towards a 100% collection target, the objectives of the Close the Glass Loop Platform are in line with UNESDA’s theme of Circularity works, let’s all give it a chance.

Close the Glass Loop gathers companies and associations from across the value chain – from design, packaging production, brands and distribution through to consumption, collection and recycling.  By mobilising partnerships at both EU and national level it aims to promote a circular economy through recycling, saving energy and reducing greenhouse emissions.

The soft drinks industry uses a range of different packaging materials and formats – including glass, PET, aluminium and carton – and it is committed to the collection, recycling and reuse of all of its packaging.

Glass packaging collection across the EU already stands at an average of 76%, however 24% remains uncollected and therefore lost for the closed loop recycling system. Glass is 100% recyclable, reusable and refillable and is a permanent material which never loses its properties no matter how many times it is recycled.