Glass Waste in India is a growing environmental concern as it often ends up in landfills due to improper segregation and lack of efficient recycling systems. India produces about 3 million tonnes of glass waste annually. India recycles 45% of its glass waste of which only 35% is recovered, and the rest often ends up in landfills or down cycled into construction material aggregates.
Glass waste, when not properly managed, can pose significant health risks. Broken glass shards can cause injuries and cuts to both humans and animals, especially in public spaces or landfills. While glass itself is chemically inert, the leaching of harmful substances from other mixed waste materials, like plastics or metals, can contaminate the surrounding environment, potentially affecting water quality and public health. Moreover, inefficient recycling and high levels of glass waste in landfills prevent valuable resources from being reused, impacting overall ecosystem health.
Managing glass waste prevents environmental harm, reduces landfill and promotes resource recovery. Recycled glass products includes containers like bottles and jars, crushed glass can also be used in concrete, roadbeds, and decorative tiles. Proper management also ensures compliance with waste regulations, reduces pollution, and supports sustainability.
Effective management of glass waste is essential for several reasons:
Businesses in India are increasingly required to report their sustainability practices under the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR), as mandated by SEBI for the top 1,000 listed companies. Key requirements include:
Companies must provide transparency related to their waste handling processes, especially for packaging like glass bottles, jars, etc
The Solid Waste Management Rules in India emphasize segregation of dry waste, wet waste, and hazardous waste at the source. Glass, being recyclable, should be separated from organic waste and directed to appropriate recycling streams.
Businesses should ensure glass packaging (or products) is collected and recycled, according to draft rules under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
We facilitate the collection and segregation of glass waste at source, ensuring that glass is separated from other waste for efficient recycling. This is done at our Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF’s)
We partner with certified recyclers like Omega glass Pvt Limited to ensure that collected glass waste is properly processed and reused, reducing the need for new raw materials.
We educate businesses and communities about the importance of recycling glass and how to dispose of it correctly, promoting responsible behavior.
We work with businesses and producers like St Gobain to help them fulfill obligations towards glass waste recycling by supplying windshield, constructions and renovation glass waste to the account of 25 MT per month in FY 25
Glass is one of the most sustainable materials, as it is 100% recyclable and can be reused indefinitely without loss of quality. Producers are required to publicly disclose their EPR compliance status. This includes publishing information on the amounts of glass waste recycled, the recycling targets met, and any shortfalls in achieving compliance. This information should be available on the company’s website or through annual sustainability reports. Proper glass waste management reduces environmental impact, saves raw materials, cuts energy costs, and helps businesses comply with growing sustainability regulations.
Quarterly and Annual Reporting:
Set up a system for post-consumer glass waste management by collaborating with waste management partners or recycling companies, and ensure that your business meets the requirements for EPR compliance (especially if your business uses glass packaging). Regularly report your recycling activities through BRSR.
Reduced Environmental Impact:
While there are upfront costs for setting up recycling programs, the long-term savings can be substantial. Recycled glass reduces energy costs and material expenses, while complying with regulations helps avoid penalties. The approx. cost to recycle glass is 02/kg in India.
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