It warned that export markets for glass that cannot be made into new containers in the UK “may not be able to accept the increases predicted in the long-term”.
”At current levels of UK collection growth export markets may not be able to accept the increases predicted in the long-term. “
– Ben Stone, RAY
In the same week that financial advisers Grant Thornton criticised the climate change credentials of grinding waste glass into sand-based products (see letsrecycle.com story), Recycling Action Yorkshire (RAY) has supported the process.
Growth
Research commissioned by RAY, part of development agency Yorkshire Forward, said grinding recycled glass for use in water filters, bricks and other construction products will be “key to future growth in glass recycling”.
The report was produced by Glass Technology Services, the independent technical arm of the glass container industry association, British Glass.
The research concluded that the main barrier to increased production of alternative glass products has been the processing costs relative to value.
Traditionally, costs for grinding glass were calculated assuming only one size fraction is produced for a specific application. The RAY report suggests better financial returns for companies making a range of particle size for use in multiple markets.
“Vital”
RAY programme director Andrew Hartley said: “In terms of CO2 savings and economics returning recovered glass to manufacturing furnaces to produce new glass delivers the greatest benefits. However, markets exist for alternative glass products and these will be vital to help absorb the growing tonnages that will remain in the region as exports reach their maximum level and the expansion of collection infrastructure delivers ever growing tonnages.”
RAY is now looking for companies who are interested in exploiting these market opportunities and setting up grinding operations within Yorkshire and Humber.
The report found that only a comparatively small amount of recovered glass, around of 10,000 tonnes a year, currently goes into alternative markets in Yorkshire and Humber, compared with the 495,000 tonnes used by glass manufacturers.
The Yorkshire and Humber region is home to the highest concentration of glass manufacturing industry in the UK, and is the country's largest user of recycled glass, importing 580,000 tonnes into the region from across the UK in 2005.
Infrastructure
RAY project manager Ben Stone said: “The region is the largest user of recycled glass, but markets for glass that cannot be used in the manufacture of bottles and jars or glazing is not being used in the region as processing infrastructure is not in place.
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“For example last year Yorkshire and Humber exported 115,000 tonnes of glass to Southern Europe for use in container manufacture of green wine bottles,” Mr Stone said.
He went on: “At current levels of UK collection growth (both overall collection and mixed collection in particular) export markets may not be able to accept the increases predicted in the long-term. Outlets for green and mixed glass are critical to maintain the levels of recycling currently achieved within the UK. Economically feasible markets within Yorkshire and Humber would add greatly to the economic, environmental and social benefits resulting from glass recycling.”
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