Glass recycling is a cornerstone of sustainable packaging, yet the way it’s collected varies dramatically across Europe. From bustling city centres to quiet rural towns, bottle banks come in different shapes, colours and formats, showing differing local approaches to glass collection and recycling. Understanding this diversity is key to improving recycling systems, promoting sustainability and creating a truly circular economy for glass packaging.
That’s why Close the Glass Loop is thrilled to announce the launch of The Glass Collection Atlas, an interactive, community-driven feature on the Close the Glass Loop website. This atlas brings glass collection systems across Europe to life, showing how communities near and far manage their glass recycling.
How the Glass Collection Atlas works
The Atlas is designed to be dynamic and participatory. Every bottle bank contributes to the bigger picture:
- Each location is represented on the map with a colour-coded pin, indicating the type of local collection system.
- Visitors can explore different countries, compare urban and rural approaches and learn about the diversity of European glass recycling.
- The Atlas is ever-growing, powered by contributions from people just like you, from recycling professionals to curious citizens.
Your contribution matters
This map needs to reflect real-life glass collection on the ground, and this is where your help is invaluable. You can participate by:
- Snapping a photo of a glass bottle bank near you, whether in your city, region or during your travels across Europe.
- Submitting your photo through our online form: Submit your photo.
- Or, simply email it to info@closetheglassloop.eu.
Each photo you contribute will appear on the Atlas, helping build a community-driven map that showcases how Europe collects and recycles glass.
Already featured
More than 50 municipalities across Europe are already represented on the map. From innovative urban collection systems to traditional rural bottle banks, the Atlas highlights the richness and variety of glass recycling practices across the continent.
Explore the Atlas
Dive in and see how your local system compares to others, or get inspired for future recycling projects. Explore the interactive map here: Glass Collection Atlas.