Business models and logistical solutions for glass recycling
The project aims to create an efficient recycling system, reduce glass waste, and thus lessen the need for environmentally harmful sand extraction.
Flat glass used in buildings relies on a limited natural resource—pure silica sand—which may run out within 25–30 years. Although glass can be endlessly recycled through remelting, most building glass still ends up in landfills. This project focuses on developing logistical solutions and business models to enable large-scale reuse of flat glass, especially glass that cannot be reused as whole windows but must be remelted as sheets or shards.
Challenges include sorting, quality assurance, and handling of different glass types (laminated, tempered, colored), as well as a lack of standards and financial incentives for reuse. Special emphasis is placed on small and medium-sized glazing companies, which have limited resources. The project aims to create an efficient recycling system, reduce glass waste, and thus lessen the need for environmentally harmful sand extraction.
Research Area
- Teknik
- Maskinteknik
Research environment / Institution
- Primus (KK-miljö)
- Institutionen för ingenjörsvetenskap
Project leader
Research Partner
- CC Grundels Fönstersystem
- Glasbranchföreningen
- Innovatum AB
- Karlsson & Dahl Glasmästeri
- Ragn-Sells Recycling AB
- Svensk Planglasförenings AB
- Saint-Gobain
Research funding
- Vinnova
Project time
2025 - 2027