Manufacturers have demanded greater investment in used-glass recovery to boost decarbonisation efforts.
The European Container Glass Federation, known as FEVE, said separate collections of the material were critical to increase its sustainability.
In a report titled One Destination, Multiple Pathways, the body said using recycled material lowered the carbon footprint of every bottle and jar created.
It added: “To ensure a higher amount of post-consumer glass is collected, consumers must be encouraged to recycle their containers after use.
“This collection infrastructure not only needs to be put in place and maintained, but the cullet needs to be separated from other materials, sorted and treated before being used in new glass production.”
The report said public bodies should “focus” on improving municipal collection systems as deposit return schemes were “not the right solution”.
FEVE called for clear guidance to the public on how to sort and return their glass packaging waste.
“This could be done through increased and consistent information at collection points, as well as enabling relevant entities throughout the glass value chain to develop educational campaigns,” said the body.
