Ruteretur wants to collect all discarded insulating glass units across Norway. On December 5th, 2024, the Norwegian Parliament jointly voted to investigate extended producer responsibility (EPR) for all insulating glass units. This is a major victory for Ruteretur. EPR for all insulating glass units ensures simpler, cheaper and more environmentally friendly handling of windows, and the material flow of window glass becomes circular.

From disposable to circular solution

Today, nearly one million kilograms of glass from Norwegian windows are buried every month. This is high-quality glass that can easily replace raw materials. Glass from discarded windows in Norway can be used to produce insulation for 440 new residences or over 30,000 new triple-layered insulating glass units every single month. This way, products such as windows can be produced much more environmentally friendly, and the glass cycle can be closed.

As soon as the authorities change the regulations (Chapter 14 of the Waste Regulations) so that Ruteretur can collect all types of insulating glass units, all glass will be reused or recycled. The main ingredient in glass is quartz sand, a resource that the earth will run out of in a few decades unless action is taken.

Another challenge with today’s window handling is that it is often difficult and very costly to dispose of windows not covered by EPR. This can in turn lead to insulating glass units, which are hazardous waste due to various environmental toxicants in the insulating glass sealant, being improperly discarded.

Ruteretur’s solution, which involves EPR for all insulating glass units, has been well received by authorities, politicians, and affected stakeholders.

Easier and more affordable for building owners, contractors and waste facilities

EPR for all insulating glass units will make it easier for waste holders (those delivering waste) and waste facilities to handle discarded units. Ruteretur’s collection system for insulating glass units containing PCB includes over 350 collection points across the country, which can also serve as collection points for all insulating glass units. Ruteretur’s analyses show that the total cost of collection and treatment will be significantly reduced with an extended system. Most importantly, the environmental savings will be substantial with an EPR for all insulating glass units.

Strong ownerships and long experience

Ruteretur AS is owned by five industry organizations in the construction and real estate sector; Glass og Fasadeforeningen, Virke, Norges Bygg- og Eiendomsforening, Norsk Eiendom og Norske Trevarer. The owners represent the entire value chain, from manufacturers of insulating glass and windows, through the trade sector, to buyers. This ensures broad support for the system and means that the owners are well aware of the challenges and benefits EPR for all insulating glass units brings to various stakeholders.

Since its establishment in 2002, the non-profit company Ruteretur has only collected and treated units containing the environmental toxicant PCB (PCB windows). In 2024, the producer responsibility scheme collected 29,000 PCB windows, which accounts for 5% of the approximately 650,000 windows discarded in Norway that year. 95% of discarded windows are not PCB windows and are therefore not covered by the current EPR. After a thorough process over several years, Ruteretur approached the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment in 2022 and offered to handle all discarded insulating glass units. This allows us to solve a major waste problem quickly.