Glass packaging
Glass is a unique material which can be recycled almost indefinitely without any deterioration in quality. Using recycled glass cullet as a raw material saves energy in the manufacturing process.
Collection of glass packaging from households and businesses
According to the official statistics of the Pirkanmaa ELY Centre, the recycling rate of glass packaging in Finland was about 94% in 2022, meeting the EU target of 75% by 2030.
From households, glass packaging is collected from properties with more than five apartments, and others deliver their packaging waste to regional collection points. See here for sorting instructions
A company or public organisation must collect glass packaging separately if it generates at least 2 kg per week. Examples of glass packaging from businesses include chemical storage jars, jars used in restaurants and institutional kitchens, and non-deposit bottles.
Material labels for glass
Glass packaging uses material labels to indicate the material from which the product is made. The most common labels are :
- Coloured glass: GL 70
- Green glass: GL 71
- Brown glass: GL 72
Composite materials
- Glass/plastic: 95
- Glass/aluminium 96
- Glass/tinplate: 97
- Glass/various metals: 98
What is recycled glass used for?
Sorted glass packaging is transported to treatment facilities, where it is sorted, cleaned, and crushed into glass cullet. This cullet is supplied to industry, where it is used to produce new glass bottles and jars as well as construction products such as foam glass and glass wool.
