This article examines the current situation for the recycling of both glass and PET throughout Europe. It finds recycling has increased across Europe, though there is still work to be done in the two sectors, according to trade associations publishing new data. The average recycling rate for glass packaging across the EU has hit an all time high of 73%, according to FEVE, however, some countries (including the UK) are lagging behind. Figures released by PET trade association Petcore Europe said that 1.7M/t of PET bottles and containers were collected for recycling across Europe in 2014, an increase of 6.8 on the previous year. This represents 57% of the PET packaging placed on the EU market in 2014 and is, according to Petcore, the equivalent of 66m 1.5/litre bottles. However, the Petcore figures, compiled by PCI PET Packaging Resin & Recycling Ltd, using an EU wide survey of agents in PET collection, sorting and recycling found that the recycling industry operating rate dropped from 2013 to 2014.
