EVERGLASS in the Media: Innovative Glass Recycling Project

In the last issue of Glass International review, an article was published about the EVERGLASS project, where FunGlass is a partner. The article emphasizes that the glass industry is working hard to innovate and increase recycling to mitigate its carbon and energy-intensive production processes. Most of the emissions come from natural gas combustion used in melting (about 80%), with the rest from the decomposition of raw materials in the furnace. Glass is a sustainable material that can be recycled endlessly without losing its properties, making recycling a key decarbonization pathway.

Recycling glass involves collecting, sorting, crushing, and combining it with raw materials to form cullet, which melts at a lower temperature and reduces energy use and emissions. Europe leads in glass recycling, with a collection rate of over 80% and a goal of 90% by 2030 through the Close the Glass Loop initiative.

Despite progress, challenges remain, especially with non-packaging glass like electronic screens and flat glass from buildings, which require separate recycling processes due to their different compositions. Contamination is a significant issue, particularly for flat glass and pharmaceutical glass, where purity is crucial.

Our director, Dušan Galusek, is quoted several times in the article and concludes with his statement: “Whatever we do, nature and the environment will always survive, but the question is whether it will be here with humans or without them.”

EVERGLASS, an EU-funded research project, aims to develop new recycling technologies. The project seeks to use laser technology to 3-D print new glass from glass waste, allowing for infinite recycling and addressing infrastructure limitations. This innovation could significantly enhance glass recycling accessibility and reduce environmental impact.

We are really happy to be part of this socially important project.

You can find the full text here: Glass International Magazine

PDF format: A laser to recycle all types of glass