10 July 2025

Research on the Extra Effort Required for each Inhabitant in the EU to Achieve a 90% Target 2023 Data

The #ClosetheGlassLoop research on the extra effort required for EU inhabitants to achieve a 90% glass collection for recycling rate has yielded updated findings for 2023.

 

We released updated 2023 analysis on the additional effort required by each EU inhabitant to reach the 90% glass collection for recycling target. We recently published the updated glass collection for recycling map, showing each country’s overall performance. However, this new kg-per-capita map offers a more detailed and human-centred perspective: it reveals how much more glass packaging, on average, every individual needs to collect in order for their country to hit the 90% target. Rather than focusing on national percentages alone, this map highlights the practical reality for people on the ground and allows for a fair comparison between countries of very different sizes and populations.

 

Here are our main findings:

🔹 Across the European Union, each citizen would need to collect an additional 4.14 kilograms of glass packaging to reach the 90% collection for recycling target.

🔹 Malta, Portugal, and Hungary show the greatest opportunity for improvement, with the highest additional effort required per capita. We will be placing greater focus on supporting these countries, and we’re already seeing promising progress, especially through our successful cooperation with Portugal’s Plataforma Vidro+, which is driving strong local engagement and results.

🔹 Belgium, Finland, Italy, and Luxembourg have already surpassed the 90% glass collection rate and require no additional effort, only continued commitment to maintain their excellent performance.

 

Let’s work together to #CloseTheGlassLoop, every bottle counts!