3.2.5 Aluminium

MATERIAL

DECORATION GLASS

CLOSURE

MATERIAL

Regular three-component packaging glass (silica sand, soda, limestone) in standard colouring transparent/white, green or brown (or related quartz) can be recycled effectively.

The heavy metal concentration in the material must comply with Commission Decision 2001/171/EC, in order to prevent contamination.

The use of alternative, opaque or metallic shades makes it more difficult to match the required standard shades in recycled glass again.

Black or dark-blue coloured glass should, therefore, be avoided. Non-packaging glass such as heat-resistant glass (e.g. Boro silicate glass), lead crystal, cryolite glass and enamel components are major impurities that affect the recyclate quality of packaging glass

DECORATION AND OTHER COMPONENTS

Decoration on glass packaging should preferably be done by engraving. Wet-strength paper labels and direct printing with EuPIA-compliant coatings and inks c an also be used without any problems.

If the glass container is fully colour-coated, this can lead to problems with the detection and sorting of the material. Plastic labels should only be used when necessary.

Permanently-adhering and large-area sleeves and plastic labels can, under certain circumstances, interfere with the sorting and impact processing of the glass.

CLOSURE SYSTEM

Closures made of ferromagnetic (alloy) metals can be easily separated during magnetic sorting. Closures made of plastic and aluminium can also be separated and thus do not interfere with the glass melt.

Closures made of ceramic and swing stoppers with ceramic or porcelain components respectively can lead to unwanted inclusions in the recycled glass and should be avoided.