Glass Recycling Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth and Forecast 2032

Glass Recycling Industry Prospective:

The global glass recycling market size was worth around USD 3.2 billion in 2023 and is predicted to grow to around USD 5.1 billion by 2032 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 5.45% between 2024 and 2032.       

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Glass Recycling Market: Overview

Glass recycling is the process of turning waste glass into usable items. Cullet refers to shattered or imploded glass that is ready for remelting. There are two types of cullets: internal and exterior. Internal cullet is made up of defective goods that were recognized and rejected by a quality control procedure throughout the industrial process of glass making, transition phases of product modifications (such as thickness and color variations), and manufacturing offcuts.

External cullet is waste glass that has been collected and treated for recycling. External cullet (whether pre- or post-consumer) is considered as waste. In the context of end-of-waste, the term "cullet" always refers to external cullet.

Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global glass recycling market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 5.45% over the forecast period (2024-2032).
• In terms of revenue, the global glass recycling market size was valued at around USD 3.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 5.1 billion by 2032.
• The rising government initiative is expected to drive the glass recycling market over the forecast period.
• Based on the product, the cullet segment is expected to dominate the glass recycling market over the forecast period.
• Based on the application, the bottle & containers segment is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period.
• Based on region, Europe is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.

Glass Recycling Market: Growth Drivers

Rising demand from diverse sectors drives market growth

The growing demand for recycled glass from several industries, such as manufacturing, food processing, automotive, aerospace, and military is driving the recycling glass market. To create recycled glass, waste glass must be crushed, cleaned, sorted, and combined with additional raw materials like sand and soda ash.

Since it can be melted to make new products of different sizes and forms, like bottles, jars, abrasives, containers, and insulating materials, it is utilized in a range of industries, including construction and food and beverage (F&B). Glass may be used to make windows, bottles, drinking glasses, and storage bins, among other things, which is driving up market income.

Bottles and containers created from recycled glass are also used by companies that use glass containers, such as the food and beverage and pharmaceutical industries, which commonly store drugs in glass containers.

Additionally, smaller glass materials are utilized in construction to produce tiles, landscaping materials, and paving materials, which in turn is driving market revenue growth.

Moreover, the rising need for recycled glass in the construction industry for filler aggregate, pipe bedding material, drainage, and asphalt aggregate is another driver driving the rise of the recycled glass market's revenue. Crushed recycled glass is used in place of sand to create polymer concrete.

Specifically, recycled glass creates a high-strength, water-resistant substance that is perfect for infrastructure drainage and industrial flooring, driving market revenue growth in high-activity locations like airports, gas stations, and forklift operating areas.

Glass Recycling Market: Restraints

Limited recycling infrastructure hinders market growth

The insufficient recycling infrastructure is a significant constraint on the glass recycling market's growth and efficiency. Many places lack adequate glass garbage collection infrastructure.

Many regions lack specific glass collection bins, and glass recycling is frequently mixed with other trash streams, making it difficult to separate glass efficiently at the source.

Without an efficient collection mechanism, glass frequently winds up in landfills or incinerators rather than being recycled. This directly affects recycling rates.

Furthermore, glass recycling necessitates precise sorting, particularly among different varieties of glass. However, many places lack the advanced sorting capabilities required to properly separate glass from other materials.

Glass Recycling Market: Opportunities

Increasing number of projects offers a lucrative opportunity for market growth

The growing number of projects is expected to offer a potential opportunity for industry expansion. For instance, in April 2024, SCHOTT's next aim is to become a leader in the shift to a circular economy, building on its ambitious goal of becoming the world's first climate-neutral specialty glass manufacturer by 2030.

The technology group has started its first recycling initiatives to obtain valuable knowledge. To produce new goods, SCHOTT is methodically investigating methods to recycle discarded glass-ceramic cooktop panels and pharmaceutical packaging in collaboration with pilot customers and partners.

The main obstacle to a circular economy, aside from technical difficulties, is the absence of a legislative framework. There are currently no special laws that permit the collection of specialized glass by type.

Leading the way in this field, SCHOTT would first like to demonstrate its technological viability through the following pilot projects: On a big scale, it would also be feasible to recycle used materials.

Glass Recycling Market: Challenges

High collection and sorting costs pose a major challenge to market expansion

High collecting and sorting costs are key constraints in the glass recycling sector, reducing efficiency, scalability, and economic feasibility. These expenses are frequently a barrier to increasing recycling rates and implementing more sustainable glass recycling systems.

Glass is a heavy substance that might break while in transit, making long-distance transportation expensive. The requirement to handle glass properly raises shipping expenses, which were already expensive due to its weight.

In locations with insufficient infrastructure, glass garbage is frequently carried across great distances to recycling facilities. The expense of shipping glass, particularly when infrastructure is poor, adds to overall recycling costs. Thus, the high collection and sorting costs might be hindering the industry's expansion.

Glass Recycling Market: Segmentation

The global glass recycling industry is segmented based on product, application and region.

Based on the product, the global glass recycling market is segmented into cullet, crushed glass and glass powder. The cullet segment is expected to dominate the glass recycling market over the forecast period. Cullet is a crucial element in the production of innovative glass goods.

Using recycled glass in the manufacturing process eliminates the requirement for virgin raw materials including sand, soda ash, and limestone. This reduces the overall cost of production, particularly in glass container manufacture.

Based on the application, the global glass recycling industry is bifurcated into bottles & containers, flat glass, fiber glass, highway beads and others. The bottle & containers segment is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period.

The glass recycling business is critical to the bottle and container sectors since glass bottles and containers are among the most extensively recycled glass items worldwide. Recycling these things is critical for long-term sustainability and cost-effective production and waste management.

Glass Recycling Market: Report Scope

Regional Analysis

Europe dominates the market over the projected period

Europe is expected to dominate the glass recycling market during the forecast period. European consumers' growing demands for environmentally friendly packaging have prompted numerous businesses to use glass bottles and containers.

Since glass can be readily recyclable, producers in industries including beverages, food packaging, and cosmetics are prioritizing glass containers made of recycled materials. Consumer movements that support zero-waste lifestyles are driving firms to use glass and other green packaging options, which is accelerating sustainability trends.

Furthermore, Europe leads the globe in glass recycling, with nations like Sweden, Belgium, and Germany setting the standard.

For instance, Germany has one of the best deposit return programs, which guarantees a high recycling rate for glass containers. Many European nations use reverse vending machines (RVMs), which give customers an effective way to return glass bottles and containers. This is a major factor in the high rates of recycling and collection.

Glass Recycling Market: Competitive Analysis

The global glass recycling market is dominated by players like:

• Owens-Illinois
• Strategic Materials Inc.
• Ardagh Group
• Vetropack Holding Ltd.
• Gerresheimer AG
• Verallia
• Knauf Insulation
• Gallo Glass Company
• Pace Glass Inc.
• Anchor Glass Container Corporation
• Vitro S.A.B. de C.V.
• Compagnie de Saint-Gobain
• Central Glass Co. Ltd.
• GPI Packaging LLC
• Berry Global Inc.
• Recresco Ltd.
• Delphi Glass Corp.
• Frigoglass SAIC
• Quinn Glass Limited
• Nampak Ltd.

The global glass recycling market is segmented as follows:

By Product

• Cullet
• Crushed Glass
• Glass Powder

By Application

• Bottle & Containers
• Flat Glass
• Fiber Glass
• Highway Beads
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France 
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa