In Italy, the requirement of the Ronchi decree to recycle 50% of container glass by 2002 has been exceeded with the total now at 53.2%. However, progress is needed to fulfil the demands of the EU Packaging Directive, which requires member states to recycle a minimum of 60% glass packaging by 2008. The Italian glass packaging sector produced a total of 3,7M/tonnes in 2003, up 0.59% on 2002. Demand for containers for pharmaceutical products was up 1.55%, while demand for food packaging was down by 3.18%. In addition, demand is rising for clear glass and companies risk having to import more raw materials, increasing costs. Unless, that is, recycling turns a corner. The Coreve proposal is to provide glass-only collection containers divided by colour. Coreve president G Rovere said that single material collection via deposits guarantees a glass recycling rate of 96%.
