Leeds celebrates glass recycling success

Leeds celebrates glass recycling success

The first anniversary of a recycling service delivered by Leeds City Council has seen nearly 12,000 tonnes of glass collected by residents across the city through their green bins. That equates to over two million wine bottles per month and has helped save 464 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂e). It has also helped increase glass recycling levels in Leeds from 48 to 75%.

The council works with contractor HW Martin to sort the glass at its Leeds plant, with over 85% of it being remelted at facilities in Yorkshire to produce new bottles and jars ready for reuse within a month.

The collection service is for any colour of glass bottle or jars, including those for wine, spirits, beer, pop, jam, sauces, coffee jars and spreads. Caps, lids and labels can be left on ready for collection. As part of the Leeds approach to make recycling as simple and easy as possible from home, all glass bottle and jars can go in the green bin; along with paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, foil and metal cans.

The council is keen to build on the success of the first 12 months by encouraging even more glass to be recycled in green bins. Currently 25 per cent of glass bottles and jars are still needlessly being put in black bins and the council is asking residents to encourage everyone to use their green bins to recycle more.

Another option aside from the green bin is to make use of the extensive network of more than 700 glass recycling banks around the city. Each of these banks is able to hold up to 3,000 bottles and jars. This option is particularly helpful after a party or large gathering to dispose of empty glass, or for those who still prefer to make regular trips to their nearest bottle bank.

While glass bottles and jars can be easily remelted and recycled, a few specialised types -such as oven-proof or Pyrex dishes, lightbulbs, and drinking glasses - require different handling due to their unique melting points. These items can still be given a second life by donating them to a local charity shop or responsibly disposing of them at a household waste recycling centre in Leeds.

Victoria Adams, Marketing and Communications manager, British Glass, said: “British Glass are pleased to see the success of the approach by Leeds and, importantly, how much glass is now being sorted and then remelted into new bottles and jars within the local area.

“We supported Leeds with the launch a year ago and join with the council in thanking residents for their efforts in this first year and we look forward to even more glass being recycled in the year ahead.”

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