17 June 2026

Towards a Close the Glass Loop Action Plan: Albania All Set to Join Close the Glass Loop

On June 17, 2026, European and Albanian value chain stakeholders gathered at the Tirana International Hotel for a landmark workshop, "Towards a Close the Glass Loop Action Plan for Albania," co-organized by Close the Glass Loop and Green Recycling. The event officially launched a national platform to integrate Albania into the leading European community for glass circularity. To drive this transition, the discussion focused on assessing current waste management, creating a National Action Plan and establishing an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system to drastically improve local recycling infrastructure and collection rates.

Opening

The Vice Minister of Environment, Genti Gazheli, reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to building a functional glass recycling system as part of its EU accession process, pointing to recent legislative progress including a new waste management law and EPR framework. The EU Delegation underlined that environmental alignment requires not just legislation but real investment and stakeholder collaboration, noting that EU funding is already supporting Albania’s circular economy transition.

European Perspectives

Case studies from Italy, North Macedonia and Romania illustrated different paths to a functioning glass collection system. Common threads across all three: the importance of transparent, non-profit governance structures, strong municipal partnerships, and treating collected glass as a resource rather than waste.

Albania’s Current Reality

Albanian operators, Green Recycling, Eco-Tirana, RecycAl Albania and GIZ Office in Albania, presented the current landscape. Glass remains the least recovered material in the country despite having the highest circular potential. The HoReCa sector emerged as the clear priority entry point, estimated to account for 45–70% of glass consumption, with Albania’s growing tourism economy seen as a structural advantage if hospitality is integrated into collection schemes early.

Next Steps

Albania is formally invited to join Close the Glass Loop as its 14th national platform. Follow-up actions include establishing a national stakeholder network, connecting Albanian operators with relevant European industry associations, and supporting the private sector in setting up a formal EPR scheme.