The EU Commission has just published a study commissioned by DG Enterprise saying that policy makers should consider the environmental and energy benefits of glass when designing new environmental policies. The study looked at the competitiveness of the glass industry, which encompasses many diverse products. The study says the glass industry can improve the image of glass by promoting its products which contribute to huge energy-savings in society such as Low E glass; solar control glass; self-cleaning glass; insulation products; safe packaging products and the promotion of container glass as a 100% recyclable product, which go together with a reduction in the natural resources used, CO2 emissions, energy use etc. The study shows how environmental advantages of recycling would come under threat if the industry moved production to cheaper regions outside Europe.
