By Lee Glover, sustainability and Net Zero delivery manager at Saint-Gobain Glass.
As the climate crisis continues to escalate, making homes more energy-efficient has become a top priority. Windows play a critical role in this transformation, and the glass used in those windows is at the forefront of improving energy efficiency and driving sustainability in the newbuild and retrofit markets.
High-performance glass helps to maintain indoor temperatures by reducing heat loss in winter and minimising heat gain in summer, leading to lower energy bills for heating and cooling. However, at Saint-Gobain Glass, our focus is on how glass can contribute to creating more energy-efficient homes whilst also supporting a circular economy whereby the demand for raw materials is reduced, waste throughout the supply chain is minimised, and glass is recycled again and again.
Glass is infinitely recyclable yet, in the building industry, it typically ends up in landfill. Our Glass Forever program changes this. It enables the economically viable and safe recovery of both pre-consumer cullet (manufacturing waste) and post-consumer cullet (glass from old windows and buildings) to re-manufacture new high-performance glass for windows.
This reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions, significantly enhancing the environmental benefits of new and replacement windows without compromising quality.
The energy efficiency of windows is therefore not only about their thermal performance but also about how they are made and re-made.
Currently, 40% of the glass produced at our Eggborough plant is made from recycled cullet, and our goal is to increase this to 50% by 2030. By using recycled glass, we reduce the demand for raw materials, cut down on landfill waste, and conserve energy – all of which contribute to a more sustainable, energy efficient glass production process.
Glass Forever offers a comprehensive cullet return system that makes recycling easier for our partners and customers. This includes specialised collection bags for waste glass, large-volume cullet collection services, and patented cullet crushing machines that facilitate the recycling of post-consumer glass.
By enabling more efficient recovery and recycling practices, we ensure a continuous flow of cullet back into the manufacturing process, creating a circular economy for glass and reducing the overall carbon footprint of new windows. This can be a huge selling point for eco-conscious homeowners, social housing providers, and large-scale housebuilders.
Collaborations are key to our sustainability efforts. For example, Padiham Glass, part of the Emplas Group, recently joined the Glass Forever program. By recycling glass from old windows and their own manufacturing processes, Padiham Glass contributes to the production of new, high-performance windows that enhance the energy efficiency of UK homes.
The benefits of energy-efficient windows extend beyond individual homes to entire communities. Recent studies show that natural light not only boosts creativity in workplaces but also enhances the perceived size and airiness of a home. More importantly, energy-efficient glass helps reduce heating and cooling costs, offering homeowners a more comfortable living environment while lowering their carbon footprint.
By supporting the Glass Forever program, glass processors, and building contractors play a vital role in driving the UK’s transition to a sustainable, circular economy. Together, we can minimise waste, conserve resources, and promote the use of high-performance glass to create homes that are more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Saint-Gobain Glass is leading the way in creating a more sustainable future for the glass industry. Our efforts to innovate, recycle, and reduce carbon emissions are essential to achieving net-zero targets and safeguarding the environment for future generations. By focusing on the role of glass in energy-efficient windows, we can create a positive impact on both the environment and our communities, driving forward the sustainable home revolution.
