As an inert and fully recyclable material, glass is the preferred packaging choice for consumers concerned about their health and the environment. Glass is the most effectively recycled material in Europe (67% on average) and is the best example of the closed loop production model according to recent research conducted by the European Container Glass Federation.

Glass has a well-established separate collection scheme. In Malta, glass is collected once a month from households in most localities; or it can be taken to a bring-in or civic amenity site at any time. Rigorous safety precautions mean that it is collected separately from other recyclables since it can shatter and cause injury and so needs to be handled on its own. Light bulbs, mirrors, window glass, ceramic dishes, ovenware, glass kitchenware and crystal cannot be included with clear or tinted glass such as food and beverage containers because several types of glass have varying properties and cannot be recycled together. Recyclable glass must meet quality standards to ensure it can be transformed into new glass containers. Contaminants in recyclable glass can ruin an entire batch of otherwise good glass and therefore it is recommended to give containers a quick rinse before recycling. With the introduction of the Beverage Container Refund Scheme (BCRS), certain glass bottles will be subject to a deposit, which will then be refunded once the empty container is collected in one of the automated vending machines. Further details on this scheme are due to be published soon. The BCRS will also include plastic and metal containers.

Glass is collected and taken to Wasteserv's recycling facilities. Following this, it is exported for further processing where it is separated by colour and then broken into small pieces called cullet. The glass is further crushed and the processing unit removes any iron containing compounds as well as labels. Once crushed, the glass cullet is mixed with sand and melted in a furnace to create new molten glass. The molten glass is then recast into new glass bottles and jars. More reused and recycled glass supports the environment by extracting fewer raw materials and generating less waste, resulting in lower energy consumption and GHG emissions.

But even before putting glass out to be collected, think about how to reuse some of it. Glass jars for example can store dry foods, taken to supermarkets' deli counters and filled for re-use or else used as storage for small fiddly things.

For ideas on how to reuse glass visit http://dontwastewaste.gov.mt/sort-it/glass/ or https://uk.pinterest.com/msdec_wasteserv/