Pilkington Italy introduced post-consumer glass into the flat glass industry

Italy's Pilkington, a leading manufacturer of flat Glass, is celebrating the success of a major circular pilot project involving multiple industry participants, aimed at recycling post-consumer glass waste, particularly glass used in windows and curtain walls of buildings that have reached the end of their service life.

It is in this context that the "renew: glass" project was born. This initiative, driven by Pilkington Italy, aims to promote the responsible use of recycled float glass, reduce landfill waste, and contribute to the decarbonization process of the industry. After consolidating achievements in recovering pre-consumer glass waste from cooperating glass processors, the initiative has now expanded to the post-consumer glass sector in the construction industry, also incorporating participation from window manufacturers and glass waste management operators.

The pilot project was implemented at a construction site in the province of Bergamo, where PM Serramenti was responsible for dismantling old window systems using a selective demolition approach. During the removal phase, materials were separated: frames were placed in dedicated containers, while insulated glass units were sent to specialized processes for handling, cleaning, and crushing, with rubber, metal, and aluminum being removed.

The resulting crushed glass was then sent to the Pilkington plant in Italy, where it underwent rigorous optical and chemical inspections to verify if it met the high-quality standards required for flat glass production. Once approved, these recycled materials were reintroduced into the production process, achieving positive results both in the quality of the finished products (fully complying with current regulations and internal standards) and in the environmental performance of the production process.

This initiative further reinforces Pilkington Italy's commitment to an increasingly circular and sustainable industrial model, helping to reduce waste generated by window replacements and promoting the development of a more environmentally responsible construction supply chain.