Who we are
We unite the UK’s leading glass and glazing organisations — manufacturers, processors, installers, recyclers, and innovators — to champion a sector vital to Britain’s industrial strength and net zero ambitions. Members include:
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British Glass
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Glass Futures
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Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF)
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Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London
Why we formed
Founded in 2024, the Collective was born from a shared mission: to raise the profile of glass and glazing with government and stakeholders. Glass is energy-intensive to produce, yet endlessly recyclable, and essential across construction, packaging, transport, healthcare, defence, and tech. Despite its strategic importance, it remains under-recognised in policy and investment decisions.
Why glass matters
Glass is:
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Infinitely recyclable, chemically inert and best for health
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Key to low-carbon buildings and infrastructure
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Critical for clean energy (solar, wind, hydrogen)
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Vital in transport, healthcare, defence and digital tech
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A medium of artistic and architectural excellence
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Central to occupant wellbeing and sustainability
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Foundational to cyber and data technologies
Contribution to the UK economy
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UK Container glass turnover ~ £1.7bn
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Flat glass manufacturers' turnover ~ £274m
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UK Glass wool and fibre turnover ~ £394m
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Glass and Glazing industry ~ £4.7bn
Opportunities for the UK
With the right support, the UK can lead in:
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Green growth: low-carbon glass products for buildings, EVs, and renewables
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Circular economy: improved cullet collection and closed-loop recycling
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Energy transition: fuel-switching to hydrogen, electric, and biofuels
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Innovation & skills: investment in R&D, apprenticeships, and digital manufacturing
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Economic growth: UK-based jobs and global competitiveness
What we’re calling for
To unlock the full potential of the UK glass sector, we are calling for five key policy actions:
1. Enable a competitive transition to Net Zero
Deliver a UK industrial decarbonisation strategy that supports foundational sectors like glass.
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Match EU-level funding to ensure investment comes to the UK
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Creation of a foundational industry strategy aligned with the delivery of the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy
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Support for innovation to enable the glass and glazing industries to decarbonise their processes.
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Provide access to low-carbon infrastructure and competitive energy pricing
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Support electric furnace adoption (capex/opex)
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Strengthen trade policies to protect UK manufacturing and consider market creation opportunities that are aligned with the UK Industrial Strategy and resilience.
2. Reform recycling legislation to maximise glass recovery
Embed circular economy principles into waste and packaging law.
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Raise landfill tax on glass to encourage increased recycling
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Reform legislation (PRN) to increase recycling of glass in the UK
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Promote the most effective recycling through improved infrastructure
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Expand legislation to increase flat glass recycling in construction
3. Level the playing field in producer responsibility and deposit return schemes
Reform pEPR and align devolved schemes (specifically Wales) to prevent market distortion.
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Coordinate policy across UK administrations (e.g. remove glass from DRS in Wales)
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Adjust pEPR to reflect the circular value of glass
4. Incentivise high-efficiency glazing and UK-made glass
Position glazing and glass wool insulation at the heart of Net Zero building policy.
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Specify UK-made glass in new builds and retrofits
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Align VAT treatment for glazing with insulation and renewables
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Include glazing in retrofit and fuel poverty schemes
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Incentivise the replacement of older glazing with higher performing glazing in the retrofit market
5. Provide policy stability and strategic engagement
Establish long-term certainty and structured dialogue with industry.
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Ensure timely consultation on regulatory changes
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Promote cross-departmental engagement
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Commit to a long-term industrial strategy for foundational sectors
Parliamentary event – 28 October 12:10-15:30 by invitation only
Join us at the House of Commons for “Bringing Glass & Glazing into Focus” — a showcase of sector success, future opportunities, and our policy asks
Invited speakers:
Chris McDonald (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Industry), David Baines MP, Sarah Champion MP, Mike Butterick (Chair of the Flat Glass Manufacturers Association FGMA), Dean Butler (President of British Glass), Adrian Curry (Chair of Glass Futures) and Steven Heath (Technical Director of Knauf).
