The Second NL Varshneya Memorial Lecture on Glass Sustainability: A closer look at sustainable glass recycling

Glass recycling must evolve to support a more viable low carbon approach. One motivated to change, by setting ambitious carbon reduction targets which mostly revolve around key cornerstones of fuels, lightweighting and efficiency. Can there be significant short-term gains by revisiting our cullet and recycled glass strategy? How can the industry prepare for a positive future, where all glass products have a low or negative carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) footprint? A great challenge for glass recycling is the understanding of CO 2 ) expenditure in the creation and delivery of cullet to a furnace, in many cases the true cost of CO 2 ); in its recycling is greater than its claimed benefit. Sustainable low CO 2 ) solutions for all glass entering a recycling facility are required for the long-term viability of the glass industry, respecting and monetising all glass equally. Innovation and progressive thinking are developing a clearer strategy for glass recycling, one focused on low CO 2 ) and the recycling of all types of glass including containers, automotive, flat glass, pharmaceutical and photovoltaic (PV) cells. This review will consider how a more inclusive CO 2 ) strategy with cooperation with academic research facilities and small businesses will impact the recycling landscape by facilitating the discovery and development of ultra-low CO 2 ) products for current and emerging markets. This review will look at how the location of glass and facilities effects the viability of use and look at the complexities and market dynamics required to establish a fair and logical national and international approach of glass decarbonisation. Resolving to determine a strategy based on CO 2 ) instead of tonnage and considering CO 2 ) at every stage from conception along its journey through distribution, filling, packaging, distribution, waste collection, processing at a materials recycling facility (MRF), transport to beneficiation. To be legislated in a logical way, to mandate change, and motivate policies based on location, available markets and of course CO 2 ). How can the glass industry determine a sustainable model for glass recycling when the basis of understanding is unclear, decarbonisation often being determined by reduction of weight at manufacturing with little consideration for a product's deconstruction and conversion into usable low-carbon products. Consideration of each aspect of use and designing products for their eventual deconstruction will improve recycling rates and decrease carbon expenditure. Legislators are only capable of creating enduring legislation when the foundations are correct.