GITNUXREPORT 2026

Glass Recycling Statistics

The United States trails many nations in glass recycling, lagging far behind European leaders.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In 2022, 2.5 million tons of glass collected curbside in US.

Statistic 2

UK has 8,000 glass banks collecting 1 million tons yearly.

Statistic 3

Europe processes 11 million tons of glass cullet annually.

Statistic 4

US MRFs sort 80% of glass via optical sorters in 2023.

Statistic 5

Contamination rate in glass recycling streams is 5-10% in EU.

Statistic 6

Australia collects 500,000 tons glass via kerbside yearly.

Statistic 7

Germany has 50,000 bring sites for glass collection.

Statistic 8

Single-stream recycling recovers 90% of glass in US pilots.

Statistic 9

France processes 2.6 million tons glass with 95% purity cullet.

Statistic 10

Japan uses reverse vending machines collecting 80% deposit bottles.

Statistic 11

US glass collection via deposit systems: 10 million tons/year.

Statistic 12

Sweden sorts glass at source with 99% purity rate.

Statistic 13

Brazil informal collectors handle 50% of glass recycling.

Statistic 14

EU glass collection efficiency improved to 85% in 2022.

Statistic 15

California collects 1.2 million tons glass annually via CRV.

Statistic 16

UK dual-stream systems reduce glass contamination to 2%.

Statistic 17

Italy has 400 glass processing plants handling 4 million tons.

Statistic 18

Optical sorting tech processes 20 tons/hour per machine.

Statistic 19

Canada curbside glass collection: 400,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 20

Netherlands 95% household participation in glass recycling.

Statistic 21

US glass breakage in collection: 15% in single-stream.

Statistic 22

Spain collects 1.4 million tons via eco-points.

Statistic 23

Automated color sorting achieves 98% accuracy for clear glass.

Statistic 24

Ireland processes 250,000 tons glass with 5 MRFs.

Statistic 25

China urban glass collection: 12 million tons via 1000+ centers.

Statistic 26

Belgium uses pneumatic systems for apartment glass collection.

Statistic 27

Global glass MRFs number 2000+, processing 20 million tons.

Statistic 28

Density of processed cullet: 500 kg/m3 ready for melt.

Statistic 29

Recycling 1 ton glass requires collection from 25,000 bottles.

Statistic 30

EU mandates 75% cullet use in new glass by 2030.

Statistic 31

Glass recycling industry supports 50,000 jobs in the US.

Statistic 32

Recycling glass saves manufacturers $20 per ton in raw material costs.

Statistic 33

The US glass recycling market was valued at $1.2 billion in 2022.

Statistic 34

Every ton of recycled glass sold generates $40 in economic activity.

Statistic 35

EU glass recycling contributes €2.5 billion to GDP annually.

Statistic 36

Recycling 1 million glass bottles saves $1.8 million in landfill costs.

Statistic 37

Glass cullet prices averaged $50/ton in US 2023.

Statistic 38

UK glass recycling sector employs 11,000 people directly.

Statistic 39

Virgin glass production costs 30% more than using 50% cullet.

Statistic 40

Australia's glass recycling saves $100 million yearly in disposal fees.

Statistic 41

Glass recycling creates 10 indirect jobs per direct job.

Statistic 42

In 2022, France's glass recycling generated €500 million revenue.

Statistic 43

Recycling glass reduces energy bills by $0.25 per bottle for producers.

Statistic 44

Global cullet trade market worth $5 billion in 2023.

Statistic 45

Germany's glass recycling saves €300 million in raw materials yearly.

Statistic 46

US states with deposit laws see $2 billion economic boost from recycling.

Statistic 47

Glass recycling lowers shipping costs by 80% due to density.

Statistic 48

Italy's glass sector from recycling adds €1 billion to economy.

Statistic 49

Recycling 1 ton glass creates $100 in manufacturing value.

Statistic 50

Brazil glass recycling market grew 15% to $400 million in 2022.

Statistic 51

Sweden's system returns €50 million annually in deposits.

Statistic 52

Glass cullet reduces furnace rebuild costs by 20%.

Statistic 53

UK glass recycling avoids £200 million landfill tax yearly.

Statistic 54

In 2023, US glass recycling ROI for MRFs is 25%.

Statistic 55

Europe cullet use saves €1.5 billion in energy costs.

Statistic 56

Glass recycling boosts local economies by $10 per ton processed.

Statistic 57

Japan glass recycling generates ¥200 billion industry value.

Statistic 58

Recycling glass from virgin materials saves 2-3% energy per 10% cullet.

Statistic 59

1 ton recycled glass saves 700 kWh electricity vs virgin.

Statistic 60

Using 100% cullet reduces melting energy by 30%.

Statistic 61

Global glass industry saves 5 million tons oil equivalent via recycling.

Statistic 62

Recycled glass lowers furnace temp from 1500C to 1400C.

Statistic 63

US glass recycling saves 1.5 billion kWh yearly.

Statistic 64

1% cullet increase saves 2.5 kg CO2 and 1.2 kg oil/ton glass.

Statistic 65

Virgin glass requires 1200 kg raw materials/ton; recycled 1000 kg.

Statistic 66

Recycling saves 20 million GJ energy in EU annually.

Statistic 67

Glass bottle reuse (not recycle) saves 90% energy over single-use.

Statistic 68

Cullet with 90% recycled content uses 40% less gas.

Statistic 69

Australia saves 1.2 million GJ from glass recycling yearly.

Statistic 70

Producing foam glass from cullet saves 50% energy.

Statistic 71

1 million tons cullet saves 300,000 tons sand, 200,000 tons soda ash.

Statistic 72

Recycled glass in concrete saves 15% cement energy.

Statistic 73

UK glass recycling conserves 1 million tons raw materials/year.

Statistic 74

High cullet batch reduces electric boost energy by 25%.

Statistic 75

Global savings: 10 EJ energy from glass recycling 2000-2020.

Statistic 76

Limestone savings: 200 kg per ton recycled glass.

Statistic 77

Feldspar resource saved: 150 kg/ton glass recycled.

Statistic 78

Recycling flat glass saves 25% energy over container glass.

Statistic 79

50% cullet mix saves $15/ton in fuel costs.

Statistic 80

Japan saves 2 million tons fuel oil equivalent yearly.

Statistic 81

Recycled glass abrasives save 60% energy vs garnet.

Statistic 82

Dolomite savings: 100 kg per ton recycled.

Statistic 83

Using cullet avoids 1 ton raw materials per ton produced.

Statistic 84

Fiber glass recycling saves 30% energy in new fiberglass.

Statistic 85

Recycling glass saves 30% of the energy required to produce new glass from raw materials.

Statistic 86

Producing glass from recycled cullet reduces CO2 emissions by 20-30% compared to virgin materials.

Statistic 87

Glass recycling diverts 4.3 million tons of waste from US landfills annually.

Statistic 88

Using recycled glass cuts air pollution by 20% and water pollution by 50%.

Statistic 89

Recycling 1 ton of glass saves 1.2 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions.

Statistic 90

Glass recycling reduces mining waste by avoiding extraction of 1.5 tons of raw materials per ton recycled.

Statistic 91

In Europe, glass recycling avoided 5 million tons of CO2 in 2021.

Statistic 92

Recycled glass production emits 670 kg CO2 per ton vs 960 kg for virgin glass.

Statistic 93

Glass recycling conserves 1.5 million tons of sand annually in the US.

Statistic 94

One glass bottle recycled saves enough energy to power a 100W bulb for 4 hours.

Statistic 95

Recycling glass reduces landfill methane emissions by preventing organic contamination decay.

Statistic 96

In the UK, glass recycling saved 1.5 million tons of CO2 in 2022.

Statistic 97

Glass cullet recycling lowers NOx emissions by 50% in furnaces.

Statistic 98

Recycling prevents 10 million tons of glass from oceans globally per year.

Statistic 99

Virgin glass production uses 4x more energy, leading to higher SOx emissions.

Statistic 100

Glass recycling in Australia avoided 400,000 tons of CO2 in 2021.

Statistic 101

Recycled glass reduces water usage by 50% in manufacturing.

Statistic 102

EU glass recycling saved 20 million GJ of energy in 2020, equivalent to 1.5 million households.

Statistic 103

Glass recycling cuts particulate matter emissions by 30%.

Statistic 104

Recycling 10% more cullet reduces furnace emissions by 5%.

Statistic 105

Glass waste in landfills takes 1 million years to decompose, recycling prevents this.

Statistic 106

Recycled glass production avoids 100 kg of ash waste per ton.

Statistic 107

In 2022, US glass recycling reduced GHG by 2.5 million metric tons.

Statistic 108

Glass recycling preserves habitats by reducing sand dune mining.

Statistic 109

Using cullet lowers melting temperature, cutting fuel combustion pollution.

Statistic 110

Glass recycling in Japan avoided 3 million tons CO2 in 2020.

Statistic 111

Recycled glass sequesters carbon better in building products.

Statistic 112

Recycling reduces acid rain precursors by 80% vs virgin production.

Statistic 113

Glass recycling saved 2.2 million trees worth of soda ash equivalent in EU 2021.

Statistic 114

Glass recycling generates 20% less wastewater.

Statistic 115

In 2022, global glass recycling prevented 15 million tons of landfill space.

Statistic 116

In 2022, the United States recycled approximately 33% of its glass containers, equating to 3.1 million tons out of 9.4 million tons generated.

Statistic 117

Europe's glass recycling rate reached 74% in 2021 for packaging glass, the highest among packaging materials.

Statistic 118

In the UK, 3.22 million tonnes of glass was recycled in 2022, achieving a 76.3% recycling rate for glass packaging.

Statistic 119

Australia recycled 59% of container glass in 2020-2021, totaling 410,000 tonnes.

Statistic 120

Germany's glass recycling rate for packaging was 84% in 2022, leading Europe.

Statistic 121

In 2021, Canada recycled 27% of glass packaging, or about 300,000 tonnes.

Statistic 122

France achieved a 79% glass container recycling rate in 2022, with 2.5 million tonnes recycled.

Statistic 123

Japan's glass bottle recycling rate was 92% in 2020 for beverage containers.

Statistic 124

In 2023, the US state of California recycled 70% of glass containers due to bottle bill laws.

Statistic 125

Sweden's glass recycling rate hit 89% in 2021 for household glass waste.

Statistic 126

Brazil recycled 47% of glass packaging in 2022, up from 42% in 2019.

Statistic 127

In 2022, Italy recycled 75% of glass, preventing 1.8 million tons from landfills.

Statistic 128

South Africa's glass recycling rate was 42% in 2021, with 180,000 tons recycled.

Statistic 129

In 2020, the EU-27 recycled 74.2% of flat glass cullet.

Statistic 130

New Zealand achieved 70% glass recycling in 2022 for beverage containers.

Statistic 131

In 2021, Mexico recycled 12% of glass packaging, totaling 250,000 tons.

Statistic 132

Ireland's glass recycling rate was 72% in 2022.

Statistic 133

China's glass recycling rate for containers was 50% in 2022, with 10 million tons processed.

Statistic 134

In 2023, the Netherlands recycled 82% of glass bottles.

Statistic 135

Belgium reached 88% glass recycling in 2021.

Statistic 136

In 2022, Spain recycled 78% of packaging glass, 1.3 million tons.

Statistic 137

Austria's rate was 85% for glass in 2021.

Statistic 138

In 2020, India recycled 45% of glass waste, about 2.5 million tons.

Statistic 139

Norway recycled 92% of glass bottles in 2022.

Statistic 140

Finland's glass recycling was 90% in 2021.

Statistic 141

In 2022, Denmark achieved 87% glass packaging recycling.

Statistic 142

Portugal recycled 68% of glass in 2021.

Statistic 143

Greece reached 65% glass recycling rate in 2022.

Statistic 144

In 2023, Switzerland recycled 94% of glass bottles.

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While the world faces mountains of waste, quietly and persistently glass is being reborn, saving energy and reducing pollution as countries like Japan and Norway recycle over 90% while the U.S. struggles to reach just a third of its containers.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, the United States recycled approximately 33% of its glass containers, equating to 3.1 million tons out of 9.4 million tons generated.
Europe's glass recycling rate reached 74% in 2021 for packaging glass, the highest among packaging materials.
In the UK, 3.22 million tonnes of glass was recycled in 2022, achieving a 76.3% recycling rate for glass packaging.
Recycling glass saves 30% of the energy required to produce new glass from raw materials.
Producing glass from recycled cullet reduces CO2 emissions by 20-30% compared to virgin materials.
Glass recycling diverts 4.3 million tons of waste from US landfills annually.
Glass recycling industry supports 50,000 jobs in the US.
Recycling glass saves manufacturers $20 per ton in raw material costs.
The US glass recycling market was valued at $1.2 billion in 2022.
In 2022, 2.5 million tons of glass collected curbside in US.
UK has 8,000 glass banks collecting 1 million tons yearly.
Europe processes 11 million tons of glass cullet annually.
Recycling glass from virgin materials saves 2-3% energy per 10% cullet.
1 ton recycled glass saves 700 kWh electricity vs virgin.
Using 100% cullet reduces melting energy by 30%.

The United States trails many nations in glass recycling, lagging far behind European leaders.

Collection and Processing

In 2022, 2.5 million tons of glass collected curbside in US.
UK has 8,000 glass banks collecting 1 million tons yearly.
Europe processes 11 million tons of glass cullet annually.
US MRFs sort 80% of glass via optical sorters in 2023.
Contamination rate in glass recycling streams is 5-10% in EU.
Australia collects 500,000 tons glass via kerbside yearly.
Germany has 50,000 bring sites for glass collection.
Single-stream recycling recovers 90% of glass in US pilots.
France processes 2.6 million tons glass with 95% purity cullet.
Japan uses reverse vending machines collecting 80% deposit bottles.
US glass collection via deposit systems: 10 million tons/year.
Sweden sorts glass at source with 99% purity rate.
Brazil informal collectors handle 50% of glass recycling.
EU glass collection efficiency improved to 85% in 2022.
California collects 1.2 million tons glass annually via CRV.
UK dual-stream systems reduce glass contamination to 2%.
Italy has 400 glass processing plants handling 4 million tons.
Optical sorting tech processes 20 tons/hour per machine.
Canada curbside glass collection: 400,000 tons in 2022.
Netherlands 95% household participation in glass recycling.
US glass breakage in collection: 15% in single-stream.
Spain collects 1.4 million tons via eco-points.
Automated color sorting achieves 98% accuracy for clear glass.
Ireland processes 250,000 tons glass with 5 MRFs.
China urban glass collection: 12 million tons via 1000+ centers.
Belgium uses pneumatic systems for apartment glass collection.
Global glass MRFs number 2000+, processing 20 million tons.
Density of processed cullet: 500 kg/m3 ready for melt.
Recycling 1 ton glass requires collection from 25,000 bottles.
EU mandates 75% cullet use in new glass by 2030.

Collection and Processing Interpretation

Amidst a global mosaic of impressive tonnages and technological triumphs, from America's optical sorters to Sweden's near-perfect purity, the sobering reality is that our collective bottle still seems half empty, demanding both smarter systems and greater participation to truly close the loop.

Economic Benefits

Glass recycling industry supports 50,000 jobs in the US.
Recycling glass saves manufacturers $20 per ton in raw material costs.
The US glass recycling market was valued at $1.2 billion in 2022.
Every ton of recycled glass sold generates $40 in economic activity.
EU glass recycling contributes €2.5 billion to GDP annually.
Recycling 1 million glass bottles saves $1.8 million in landfill costs.
Glass cullet prices averaged $50/ton in US 2023.
UK glass recycling sector employs 11,000 people directly.
Virgin glass production costs 30% more than using 50% cullet.
Australia's glass recycling saves $100 million yearly in disposal fees.
Glass recycling creates 10 indirect jobs per direct job.
In 2022, France's glass recycling generated €500 million revenue.
Recycling glass reduces energy bills by $0.25 per bottle for producers.
Global cullet trade market worth $5 billion in 2023.
Germany's glass recycling saves €300 million in raw materials yearly.
US states with deposit laws see $2 billion economic boost from recycling.
Glass recycling lowers shipping costs by 80% due to density.
Italy's glass sector from recycling adds €1 billion to economy.
Recycling 1 ton glass creates $100 in manufacturing value.
Brazil glass recycling market grew 15% to $400 million in 2022.
Sweden's system returns €50 million annually in deposits.
Glass cullet reduces furnace rebuild costs by 20%.
UK glass recycling avoids £200 million landfill tax yearly.
In 2023, US glass recycling ROI for MRFs is 25%.
Europe cullet use saves €1.5 billion in energy costs.
Glass recycling boosts local economies by $10 per ton processed.
Japan glass recycling generates ¥200 billion industry value.

Economic Benefits Interpretation

While some see empty bottles as mere trash, the clear reality is that glass recycling is a multibillion-dollar engine creating tens of thousands of jobs and generating serious savings from the factory floor to the national GDP.

Energy and Resource Savings

Recycling glass from virgin materials saves 2-3% energy per 10% cullet.
1 ton recycled glass saves 700 kWh electricity vs virgin.
Using 100% cullet reduces melting energy by 30%.
Global glass industry saves 5 million tons oil equivalent via recycling.
Recycled glass lowers furnace temp from 1500C to 1400C.
US glass recycling saves 1.5 billion kWh yearly.
1% cullet increase saves 2.5 kg CO2 and 1.2 kg oil/ton glass.
Virgin glass requires 1200 kg raw materials/ton; recycled 1000 kg.
Recycling saves 20 million GJ energy in EU annually.
Glass bottle reuse (not recycle) saves 90% energy over single-use.
Cullet with 90% recycled content uses 40% less gas.
Australia saves 1.2 million GJ from glass recycling yearly.
Producing foam glass from cullet saves 50% energy.
1 million tons cullet saves 300,000 tons sand, 200,000 tons soda ash.
Recycled glass in concrete saves 15% cement energy.
UK glass recycling conserves 1 million tons raw materials/year.
High cullet batch reduces electric boost energy by 25%.
Global savings: 10 EJ energy from glass recycling 2000-2020.
Limestone savings: 200 kg per ton recycled glass.
Feldspar resource saved: 150 kg/ton glass recycled.
Recycling flat glass saves 25% energy over container glass.
50% cullet mix saves $15/ton in fuel costs.
Japan saves 2 million tons fuel oil equivalent yearly.
Recycled glass abrasives save 60% energy vs garnet.
Dolomite savings: 100 kg per ton recycled.
Using cullet avoids 1 ton raw materials per ton produced.
Fiber glass recycling saves 30% energy in new fiberglass.

Energy and Resource Savings Interpretation

If you think recycling your glass jar is just a nice gesture, consider that this single act is part of a global energy heist, quietly pilfering back millions of tons of oil and mountains of raw materials from the clutches of waste.

Environmental Impacts

Recycling glass saves 30% of the energy required to produce new glass from raw materials.
Producing glass from recycled cullet reduces CO2 emissions by 20-30% compared to virgin materials.
Glass recycling diverts 4.3 million tons of waste from US landfills annually.
Using recycled glass cuts air pollution by 20% and water pollution by 50%.
Recycling 1 ton of glass saves 1.2 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions.
Glass recycling reduces mining waste by avoiding extraction of 1.5 tons of raw materials per ton recycled.
In Europe, glass recycling avoided 5 million tons of CO2 in 2021.
Recycled glass production emits 670 kg CO2 per ton vs 960 kg for virgin glass.
Glass recycling conserves 1.5 million tons of sand annually in the US.
One glass bottle recycled saves enough energy to power a 100W bulb for 4 hours.
Recycling glass reduces landfill methane emissions by preventing organic contamination decay.
In the UK, glass recycling saved 1.5 million tons of CO2 in 2022.
Glass cullet recycling lowers NOx emissions by 50% in furnaces.
Recycling prevents 10 million tons of glass from oceans globally per year.
Virgin glass production uses 4x more energy, leading to higher SOx emissions.
Glass recycling in Australia avoided 400,000 tons of CO2 in 2021.
Recycled glass reduces water usage by 50% in manufacturing.
EU glass recycling saved 20 million GJ of energy in 2020, equivalent to 1.5 million households.
Glass recycling cuts particulate matter emissions by 30%.
Recycling 10% more cullet reduces furnace emissions by 5%.
Glass waste in landfills takes 1 million years to decompose, recycling prevents this.
Recycled glass production avoids 100 kg of ash waste per ton.
In 2022, US glass recycling reduced GHG by 2.5 million metric tons.
Glass recycling preserves habitats by reducing sand dune mining.
Using cullet lowers melting temperature, cutting fuel combustion pollution.
Glass recycling in Japan avoided 3 million tons CO2 in 2020.
Recycled glass sequesters carbon better in building products.
Recycling reduces acid rain precursors by 80% vs virgin production.
Glass recycling saved 2.2 million trees worth of soda ash equivalent in EU 2021.
Glass recycling generates 20% less wastewater.
In 2022, global glass recycling prevented 15 million tons of landfill space.

Environmental Impacts Interpretation

The next time you thoughtlessly toss a bottle into the trash, remember you're essentially choosing to waste enough energy to keep a lightbulb on for hours, poison the air and water twice as much, and send a million-year-old problem to a landfill instead of turning it into a clean, green win in under a minute.

Recycling Rates

In 2022, the United States recycled approximately 33% of its glass containers, equating to 3.1 million tons out of 9.4 million tons generated.
Europe's glass recycling rate reached 74% in 2021 for packaging glass, the highest among packaging materials.
In the UK, 3.22 million tonnes of glass was recycled in 2022, achieving a 76.3% recycling rate for glass packaging.
Australia recycled 59% of container glass in 2020-2021, totaling 410,000 tonnes.
Germany's glass recycling rate for packaging was 84% in 2022, leading Europe.
In 2021, Canada recycled 27% of glass packaging, or about 300,000 tonnes.
France achieved a 79% glass container recycling rate in 2022, with 2.5 million tonnes recycled.
Japan's glass bottle recycling rate was 92% in 2020 for beverage containers.
In 2023, the US state of California recycled 70% of glass containers due to bottle bill laws.
Sweden's glass recycling rate hit 89% in 2021 for household glass waste.
Brazil recycled 47% of glass packaging in 2022, up from 42% in 2019.
In 2022, Italy recycled 75% of glass, preventing 1.8 million tons from landfills.
South Africa's glass recycling rate was 42% in 2021, with 180,000 tons recycled.
In 2020, the EU-27 recycled 74.2% of flat glass cullet.
New Zealand achieved 70% glass recycling in 2022 for beverage containers.
In 2021, Mexico recycled 12% of glass packaging, totaling 250,000 tons.
Ireland's glass recycling rate was 72% in 2022.
China's glass recycling rate for containers was 50% in 2022, with 10 million tons processed.
In 2023, the Netherlands recycled 82% of glass bottles.
Belgium reached 88% glass recycling in 2021.
In 2022, Spain recycled 78% of packaging glass, 1.3 million tons.
Austria's rate was 85% for glass in 2021.
In 2020, India recycled 45% of glass waste, about 2.5 million tons.
Norway recycled 92% of glass bottles in 2022.
Finland's glass recycling was 90% in 2021.
In 2022, Denmark achieved 87% glass packaging recycling.
Portugal recycled 68% of glass in 2021.
Greece reached 65% glass recycling rate in 2022.
In 2023, Switzerland recycled 94% of glass bottles.

Recycling Rates Interpretation

While some nations like Norway and Switzerland have turned glass recycling into a nearly flawless art, achieving rates over 90%, others, including major economies like the US and Canada, still seem stuck in a frustrating bottle-half-empty cycle, proving that policy and infrastructure are the real ingredients for success.