Glass recycling in the UK: Are we really doing enough?

Recycling and sustainability are hot topics, but when it comes to glass packaging, is the UK taking the right approach? With new regulations like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) launching in April 2025 (the fees for packaging placed on the market will now start in October 2025); and a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers planned for 2027, the landscape is shifting fast.

But the real question is: Are these changes truly driving sustainability?

What’s happening now?

For years, glass has been seen as one of the most sustainable packaging materials. It’s 100% recyclable and can be reused indefinitely without losing quality. Yet, glass recycling rates in the UK have stagnated, and some businesses are opting for other materials due to cost concerns.

At the same time, plastic packaging is still dominating the market, despite its negative environmental impact. With new regulations on the way, glass is now caught in a complex debate over costs, recycling efficiency, and sustainability goals.

What’s changing in the next few years?

April 2025: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

The UK’s EPR scheme will shift the cost of recycling packaging waste onto businesses, rather than local councils and taxpayers.

Businesses that manufacture, import, or sell packaged goods will pay fees based on the weight and recyclability of their packaging.
The money collected will be used to improve waste management and recycling infrastructure.
Hard-to-recycle materials (like certain plastics) will face higher fees, encouraging companies to use more sustainable options.

Impact on Glass: Glass is highly recyclable, so it may face lower fees than plastic.However, because it’s heavier than plastic and aluminium, transport costs could make it less attractive for businesses.Some companies may shift towards lighter materials, even if they’re less sustainable in the long run.

2027: Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers

The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is designed to increase recycling rates by placing a small deposit (likely 3-9p per bottle) on drinks containers, which consumers can reclaim when they return the empty packaging.

Sounds simple, right? Well, not exactly.

England and Northern Ireland will only include plastic bottles and aluminium cans—not glass.
Scotland and Wales plan to include glass bottles, but implementation has been delayed due to political and industry concerns.

Impact on Glass: In England and Northern Ireland, glass bottles will not be included, meaning their recycling rates may not improve. In Scotland and Wales, businesses may face higher costs as they’ll have to handle the logistics of bottle returns. Consumers may switch to plastic or cans to avoid the extra hassle of recycling glass separately.

So the question is: Should the UK be making glass recycling easier for everyone?

How will these changes affect businesses and consumers?

For Businesses:	For Consumers:
Higher costs if they use difficult-to-recycle materials. More reporting requirements—businesses must track and declare their packaging usage. Possible switch to alternative packaging—not necessarily better for the environment.	Higher prices on products using non-recyclable or heavy materials. Potential shift in behaviour—people may choose cheaper, lighter packaging, which could mean less glass and more plastic. A fragmented system—some UK nations including glass in the DRS, while others don’t, leading to confusion and inconsistency.

Is this really the best we can do?

Let’s look at the past. Remember the old-school milk bottle system?

The milkman delivered glass bottles.
Customers returned them.
The bottles were washed, refilled, and reused—not crushed and recycled.

That was true circular economy thinking. Yet, today, businesses are being encouraged to replace glass with plastic because of cost and weight concerns. Why aren’t we promoting refillable glass bottles instead?

Some countries, like Germany and Spain, have deposit schemes that reward consumers for returning both plastic and glass bottles. In Spain, big brands like Coca-Cola and Heineken are embracing refillable glass bottles, reducing waste even further.

So why isn’t the UK considering a return-and-reuse system for glass bottles instead of just making businesses and consumers pay more?

So, what’s next?

We have big questions here:

Should the UK expand the Deposit Return Scheme to include glass nationwide?
Could businesses bring back refillable glass bottles instead of switching to plastic?
Are we focusing too much on cost and not enough on real sustainability?

It’s time to rethink the way we handle glass packaging. The government’s new policies aim to make recycling more efficient, but are they the right approach—or is there a better way forward?

Let’s talk about it. Drop your thoughts in the comments! 👇

#Sustainability #Recycling #GlassPackaging #DepositReturnScheme #EcoFriendly #CircularEconomy