Sustainability services

Here are some specific areas we can support you with.

Combustion processes

Through our in-house knowledge and wide network of academic and industrial partners we can help optimise your melting and downstream processes to minimise energy usage.

Recycling

Our predecessor, the British Glass Industry Research Association has been involved in the UK recycling system since its inception in the 1970s. We have also led numerous projects in both the UK and abroad to increase closed loop recycling and find alternative markets for unsuitable cullet destined for landfill.

Waste reduction

Our team has carried out waste and energy audits for the global glass supply chain and can provide advice on how to reduce waste in your process.

Waste heat recovery

Our emissions testing team can carry out surveys and analyses of your waste gas streams and advise on the potential for heat recovery systems. We have been involved in several projects to develop new technologies in this field but are not linked to any equipment providers so can offer impartial advice.

Optimising manufacturing processes

Our multidisciplinary expertise, decades of glass industry experience, and technical facilities enable us to support your organisation to increase the sustainability of your glass products. For example, reducing the carbon footprint of a bottle, and advising on implementing the latest manufacturing technologies to reduce waste.

Looking for advice about a sustainability project?

Our team has a wealth of knowledge and experience working on glass related environmental issues and would be happy to help.

Speak to an expert

Environmental areas of improvement for the wider glass industry

Increasing recyclability / circular economy

Increasing recyclability / circular economy

More work needs to be done to increase national and international recycling rates of glass packaging to move towards a truly circular economy. Glass can be recycled endlessly back into new bottles and jars, so it makes both environmental and economic sense to further increase its recyclability.

Alternative fuels / raw materials

Alternative fuels / raw materials

The glass industry must consider how waste products from manufacturing processes can be better utilised to maximise efficiency. As part of this, we have developed a method to use industrial wastes as secondary raw materials. As the project lead, we have taken it from laboratory concept through to industrial scale trials.

Recycled content

Recycled content

When old glass is recycled into new glass, energy savings are made as there is less demand for virgin raw materials. In fact, recycling a tonne of glass into new bottles and jars saves 580kg of CO2 emissions. The average amount of recycled content for glass packaging in the UK is 50%, so the industry needs to look for innovative ways to increase this percentage.

Environmental design

Environmental design

Product design has a significant impact on the sustainability credentials of glass products. For example, lightweighting can be utilised to reduce the amount of raw materials needed for products. This has a knock-on effect and limits the amount of resources and energy required in the manufacturing process. We can offer advice and modelling capabilities to reduce the environmental footprint of your products.

Sustainability leadership and expertise

Our diverse team are experts in glass and the perfect partner to provide advice about sustainable manufacturing and the circular economy.

View the full leadership team
Dr Nick Kirk

Dr Nick Kirk

Technical Director
Nick is a glass expert with decades of experience in all aspects of sustainability, glass production, and product design across the global glass supply chain. Read More

Areas of expertise:

Glass production Sustainability and recycling Product design
Chris Holcroft

Chris Holcroft

Energy & Environment Lead
Chris joined Glass Technology Services in 2005 and has expertise in environmental process improvement, resource efficiency, recycling and circular economy. He is also involved with the development, manufacture, and practical applications of novel glass products. Read More

Areas of expertise:

Martyn Marshall

Martyn Marshall

Melting and R&D Lead
Martyn has over 30 years’ experience in the design, development and production of silicate and non-silicate glasses for both commercial and scientific use, working globally with glassmakers. Read More
Dr Marlin Magallanes

Dr Marlin Magallanes

Specialist Glass Lead
Marlin has been working in the field of glass since 2006. As a Specialist Glass Lead she oversees our bio-medical projects, as well as managing links with academic partners. Read More

Areas of expertise:

Glass and glass-ceramic materials for biomedical applications Glass manufacturing process Glass characterisation

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