ON Thursday 24^th July, the MP for Harlow, Chris Vince, visited the leading global glass manufacturer O-I Glass’s Harlow manufacturing plant. They discussed the UK’s recent Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fee announcements, the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), and how government and industry can work together to drive up recyclability rates, reduce waste, and ensure continued success for the British glass sector. 

O-I Glass is a global leader in sustainable glass packaging, partnering with the world’s foremost food and beverage brands to deliver innovative, environmentally friendly solutions. O-I’s Harlow facility, operational for over 75 years, employs more than 130 people, and produces more than 450 million beer bottles per year, serving major UK beverage companies.

Glass is a unique packaging material. It is infinitely recyclable, sustainable, and integral to UK beverage producers. As such, it is one of the most recycled materials in the UK, with a 74% recycling rate. 

Glass’ infinitely recyclable nature already makes it one of the most sustainable packaging options on the market. By 2030, O-I is aiming to increase recycled content of its bottles to 60% globally, and in its operations, use 80% renewable electricity.

The UK’s historic glass sector is also a significant contributor to economic growth, contributing over £2bn to the economy each year and supporting more than 120,000 jobs across the supply chain. 

The UK EPR scheme makes producers responsible for the cost of managing packaging placed on the UK market. Under the current scheme, it is a weight-based fee structure, which disproportionately impacts glass compared to other packaging materials. The fees for glass in the UK are some of the highest in the world and do not account for its recyclability. 

O-I’s UK Operations Leader, Susan Lyall, and Chris Vince MP also discussed how they can support skills in the local area and unlock the manufacturing talent in the heart of Harlow. 

Susan Lyall, UK Operations Leader, said:  “It was a pleasure to welcome Chris Vince MP to Harlow today. This year marks 275 years since we opened our first manufacturing site in Scotland and 75 years since we started operations in Harlow, so it was great to showcase how O-I is continuing to innovate to improve the entire lifecycle of the glass we produce, and support employees, in his constituency.

As a manufacturer of one of the most sustainable materials in the world, sustainability sits at the heart of everything we do at O-I. Chris Vince has supported us in making the case to government for impactful circular economy policies that drive up recycling rates, encouraging innovations in packaging, without damaging the Great British glass industry.” 

Chris Vince, Member of Parliament for Harlow, said: “It was great to visit O-I Glass’s Harlow site, see their work in action and speak with local employees about how they are being supported in their roles at the site. I have been working closely with O-I to ensure new circular economy policies most effectively drive-up recycling while supporting the future of the long-established glass sector in the heart of Harlow. It is great to hear about their wider sustainability initiatives and the upskilling available to those working here.”