Glass Recycling Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Global Industry Analysis: By Source (Container Glass, Construction & Demolition Glass, Automotive Glass, Others), By product type (Cullet, Crushed Glass, Glass Powder, Others), By Application (Bottle & Container Manufacturing, Fiberglass Insulation, Construction Materials, Decorative and Specialty Products, Others), and Region Forecast 2020-2031

Glass Recycling Market size was valued at US$ 3,806.2 million in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 5,914.8 million by 2031, growing at a significant CAGR of 6.5% from 2025-2031. The market refers to the industry segment focused on collecting, processing, and repurposing waste glass into usable products, primarily through methods such as crushing, cleaning, and melting. Recycled glass, often referred to as cullet, can be used to manufacture new glass containers, fiberglass, construction materials, and various decorative or industrial products. This process not only conserves raw materials like sand, soda ash, and limestone but also significantly reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to producing new glass from virgin resources. The market includes a wide network of stakeholders, including waste collection agencies, recycling facilities, glass manufacturers, and end-user industries.

The market is gaining strong momentum worldwide, driven by rising environmental awareness, stringent government regulations on waste management, and the push toward a circular economy. Moreover, increasing demand for sustainable packaging solutions in the food and beverage industry is further boosting the use of recycled glass. In addition, using cullet in glass production reduces energy costs and extends furnace life, offering economic incentives for manufacturers. Europe leads in glass recycling rates due to established collection systems and supportive policies, while developing regions are gradually investing in improved infrastructure to enhance recycling efficiency. The market is also benefiting from technological advancements in sorting and processing methods, which improve the purity and quality of recycled glass. As industries and consumers continue to prioritize sustainability, the market is expected to see steady growth, supporting both environmental and economic objectives in the years to come.

Facts & Figures

• In fact, over Recycling one ton of glass saves about 1.2 tons of raw materials, including sand, soda ash, and limestone.
• Using recycled glass (cullet) in manufacturing can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%, since cullet melts at a lower temperature than virgin raw materials.
• Every 10% increase in cullet use cuts carbon emissions by approximately 5% during glass production.
• Glass can be recycled endlessly without any loss in quality or purity, unlike many other materials.
• In leading European countries, over 80% of glass packaging is collected and recycled each year.
• Recycling a single glass bottle saves enough energy to power a 100-watt light bulb for about 4 hours.

Key Developments:

• In April 2025, Ardagh Glass Packaging-North America (AGP-North America), a division of Ardagh Group, announced a new long-term partnership with CAP Glass aimed at expanding glass recycling services across the United States. This collaboration underscores both companies' commitment to strengthening domestic recycling infrastructure and promoting sustainable packaging solutions nationwide.
• In March 2025, ORIX Corporation, ORIX Eco Services Corporation, and AGC Inc. announced that they have developed Japan’s first horizontal recycling business scheme for waste window glass generated during condominium and building renovations. This initiative highlights their commitment to promoting closed-loop recycling and advancing sustainable practices within Japan’s construction and renovation sectors.

Glass Recycling Market Segmentation:

Based on the source:

• Container Glass
• Construction & Demolition Glass
• Automotive Glass
• Others

Among the sources, container glass holds the leading position in the market, primarily driven by its widespread use in the food and beverage industry. Container glass including bottles and jars is highly recyclable and can be repeatedly processed without any loss of quality, making it an ideal material for closed-loop recycling systems. The high collection rates for bottles and jars, supported by effective deposit return schemes and curbside collection programs in many regions, further strengthen its dominance.

Additionally, growing consumer and industry demand for sustainable packaging solutions accelerates the need for recycled container glass, as manufacturers aim to reduce carbon footprints and meet strict environmental regulations. The ability to replace a significant portion of virgin raw materials with cullet in new container production not only conserves natural resources but also lowers energy consumption and production costs. As a result, container glass continues to drive the overall growth and momentum of the market.

Based on the product type:

• Cullet
• Crushed Glass
• Glass Powder
• Others

Among the product types, cullet holds the leading position in the market, driven by its critical role in the production of new glass containers and packaging. Cullet which refers to clean, sorted, and crushed recycled glass ready for remelting can replace up to 95% of raw materials in glass manufacturing, dramatically reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. Its use helps extend furnace life, lower production costs, and conserve natural resources like sand and limestone. With stringent environmental regulations and growing industry commitments to sustainability, glass manufacturers increasingly prefer cullet to meet recycled content targets and enhance their green credentials.

Furthermore, cullet maintains the same purity and quality as virgin materials, ensuring high performance in food and beverage packaging applications. As global awareness of circular economy practices grows and closed-loop recycling systems become more widespread, cullet continues to dominate, driving both environmental and economic benefits in the glass recycling industry.

Based on the application:

• Bottle & Container Manufacturing
• Fiberglass Insulation
• Construction Materials
• Decorative and Specialty Products
• Others

Among the applications, bottle and container manufacturing holds the leading position in the market, driven by the strong global demand for sustainable packaging solutions in the food and beverage industry. Recycled glass, or cullet, is an ideal raw material for making new bottles and jars because it can be endlessly recycled without losing quality or purity. The use of cullet in container production not only reduces energy consumption by up to 30% but also significantly cuts carbon emissions and conserves raw materials such as sand and limestone. Strict environmental regulations and brand commitments to using higher percentages of recycled content further strengthen this segment’s dominance.

Additionally, consumer preference for eco-friendly packaging is pushing manufacturers to incorporate more recycled glass to meet sustainability targets and appeal to environmentally conscious buyers. As closed-loop recycling systems become more efficient worldwide, bottle and container manufacturing will continue to drive the growth and innovation of the market.