The Role of Glass in Sustainable Construction
Glass Recycling: Our Commitment to a Circular Future
At Metro Glass sustainability is at the heart of how we operate. As one of New Zealand’s leading glass manufacturers and processors, we’re proud to play a key role in reducing glass waste and driving the industry toward a zero waste future.
Our goal is simple - to help eliminate glass waste from landfill. To achieve this, we’re continuously investing in recycling technologies, optimising our manufacturing processes, and supporting initiatives that repurpose glass into valuable products such as bottles and insulation materials, including Pink Batts®.
Across our manufacturing plants, we achieve an average glass recycling rate of 99.3%. Every offcut and unused piece of glass is collected, sorted and repurposed - ensuring that virtually nothing goes to waste. Through our Customer Take Back Scheme, we make it easier for our customers to return and recycle glass, extending our sustainability efforts beyond our own sites.
We’re proud that our double and triple glazing glass is Declare Red List Free, meaning they contain no toxic or harmful ingredients - a commitment that supports healthier, more sustainable buildings across New Zealand.
As a Toitū Carbon Reduce Certified company, we actively measure, manage and reduce our carbon emissions across our operations. This certification reflects our long term commitment to continuous improvement and transparency in environmental performance.
Our retrofit business is another way we’re making a difference. By replacing single glazed panes with high performance double glazing, we not only improve energy efficiency but also ensure that the old glass (and even the frames, where possible) are responsibly recycled.
However, one of the biggest challenges remains at the construction site. Too often, all site waste ends up in a single skip that goes straight to landfill. We encourage builders and contractors to include a glass only recycling bin on site - a small change that can make a big impact by allowing this material to be returned to our recycling partners in Auckland or Christchurch.
At Metro Glass, we believe that sustainability is a shared responsibility. By working together with architects, builders and construction professionals who share this vision, we can create a truly circular glass economy and build a more sustainable future for New Zealand.
Our Glass Supply Chain
All flat glass used in construction in New Zealand is imported, arriving in large sheets that often include Low E coatings or colour tints integrated into the material. Once here, we process these sheets into a wide range of products - from insulated glass units to balustrades, showers and splashbacks.
We take a proactive approach to sustainability throughout this supply chain by partnering with suppliers who use significant levels of recycled glass at source. On average, the glass we process contains on average 22% recycled content, helping to close the loop on glass manufacturing while maintaining the highest standards of quality and performance.
From production to recycling, our commitment is clear - we’re working every day to make glass a smarter, more sustainable choice for New Zealand’s built environment.
