We would like to take today's Recycling Day as an opportunity to call on private individuals and businesses to dispose of recyclable materials such as glass, PET bottles, wood and PV modules correctly. After all, recycling recyclable materials conserves primary raw materials and protects the environment. And that's not all - recycling can also save considerable amounts of energy and CO2 emissions in the manufacture of new products. 

However, one of the most important prerequisites for optimised recycling is the collection and separation of recyclable materials by type. Contamination by other materials increases the effort required for recycling and reduces the usability in high-quality applications for closed loops. Glass in particular can be recycled an infinite number of times without any loss of quality. The recycled glass cullet is the most important raw material in the production of new glass packaging.

However, a recent YouGov survey shows that there is still some catching up to do when it comes to the correct disposal of deposit-free used glass in glass containers - only 84% of people in Germany throw their glass packaging into the designated containers.¹  

Hence our appeal - help us and dispose of your glass packaging correctly. We have 3 important practical tips for you:

1. Sort empty glass packaging by colour: Please sort empty glass bottles and other glass packaging according to the colours white, green and brown and throw them into the designated glass container. Rarer colours such as blue or orange belong in the green glass container - because green glass is the least sensitive to colour deviations.
2. Not all types of glass belong in the used glass container: Due to their different chemical composition, certain special types of glass do not belong in the used glass container, as they cause problems in the melting process during the production of new glass. These include drinking glasses, cookware, heat-resistant glass, decorative glass, fireplace screens and cooker tops as well as lead crystal glass (heavy metal). These belong in the residual waste. Flat glass such as windows and mirrors are collected separately and recycled.
3. Empty used glass and leave the lid on: It is a widespread myth that empty glass packaging needs to be rinsed out. However, glass packaging should definitely be emptied before disposal - that means spooning out is sufficient and saves water. Lids can be easily sorted out during the recycling process and can therefore remain screwed on.

Experience glass recycling: The initiative "Mülltrennung wirkt" has made an explanatory film and a virtual tour of our glass recycling plant at our glass recycling site in Marienfeld. These show how glass recycling works - from the collection and processing of used glass to the production of new glass packaging. Take a look here.

[1] Quelle: Für Deutschland (18+) repräsentative Online-Umfrage der YouGov Deutschland GmbH, N=2.044, 16.02.204

Quelle: Initiative „Mülltrennung wirkt“