A recent study published on April 10, 2026, by the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU – Naturschutzbund Deutschland), conducted in collaboration with the Gesellschaft für Verpackungsmarktforschung (GVM) and the ifeu Institute (Institut für Energie- und Umweltforschung Heidelberg), has revealed surprising and forward-looking results. The report highlights that replacing single-use glass packaging with reusable, refillable alternatives can drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 60 percent in certain segments of the food industry. Reusing rather than discarding is a viable and highly eco-friendly alternative, even for pre-packaged foods.
The Environmental Dilemma of Glass as a Packaging Material
Glass is one of the food industry’s most preferred packaging materials due to its high quality and extreme robustness. However, despite being highly recyclable, it carries a significant drawback: the manufacturing process itself is incredibly energy-intensive, resulting in a high climate burden and substantial greenhouse gas emissions. The new study commissioned by NABU specifically examined this issue, aiming to calculate the extent to which climate-damaging emissions from packaging could be reduced if single-use glass were replaced with reusable (Mehrweg) glass.
This research deliberately focused on areas beyond classic beverage bottles. Specifically, it scrutinized the market for fruit and vegetable preserves, as well as various spreads and pâtés (Brotaufstriche), proving that there is massive climate protection potential in the multiple uses of glass jars beyond just liquids.
Spectacular Emission Reductions: Concrete Quantitative Data
Katharina Istel, NABU’s expert for circular economy and resource conservation, emphasized regarding the research that reusable alternatives are urgently needed not only for beverages but also for pre-packaged foods. The study supports the environmental benefits of this transition with precise data.
The analysis demonstrates the radical reduction in climate impact through two specific food industry examples:
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Fruit and Vegetable Preserves: If a reusable preserve jar is used twelve times (12x), it logically replaces exactly twelve single-use, disposable jars. The research highlighted that this practice—even when accounting for the additional environmental burdens associated with return transport and high-temperature industrial cleaning—reduces the climate emissions attributed to the packaging by nearly 60 percent.
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Spreads (Brotaufstriche): The balance here is also distinctly positive. A reusable jar refilled nine times (9x) cuts the release of greenhouse gases into the environment roughly in half (50%) compared to manufacturing nine separate single-use jars for the same purpose.
The experts from the institutes conducting the research add that the savings potential in reality could be even greater if the industry replaced the currently widespread single-use lids (Einwegdeckel) with reusable closure elements.
Germany’s Current Situation: A Massive Untapped Potential
Although the data speaks for itself, the current market situation shows staggering disproportions in the European country. The study sheds light on the fact that currently, only about 10 percent of the total glass packaging inventory in Germany consists of reusable packaging. The overwhelming majority of this meager ten percent—approximately 99 percent—belongs to the beverage packaging category. Consequently, the proportion of reusable glass used for foods (preserves, spreads) is currently negligible. Applying the principle of “more food in reusable glass” at an industrial scale thus harbors massive untapped potential for achieving climate protection goals.
Guidelines for the Proper Disposal of Single-Use Glass
Until the food industry transitions to a higher percentage of reusable systems, NABU is calling consumers’ attention to the proper waste management of existing single-use glass. Disposable glass belongs in selective glass collection containers (Altglastonne). The organization emphasizes that separating glass by color at collection points is particularly important, as the industry requires extremely precisely sorted glass waste to manufacture new, clear white and brown glass.
References and Sources:
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Source of the original research summary (Official portal of NABU – Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V.): NABU Presse – Mehrweg statt Einweg reduziert die Klimabelastung durch Glasverpackungen enorm
