A Clear Vision for Glass Recycling in Brazil

Austrian technology driving the future of glass recycling: Brazil is rapidly emerging as a key growth market for the global recycling industry – 
especially in the area of post-consumer glass. With a nationwide recycling rate of just 25%, the potential for material recovery is enormous. One project addressing this opportunity with pioneering ambition is the installation of a state-of-the-art glass sorting facility in the São Paulo metropolitan area. Engineered by REDWAVE – the recycling and sorting technology specialist within BT-Systems – in close cooperation with Brazilian environmental solutions provider Ambipar, the facility marks REDWAVE’s first glass plant in Brazil.

Located at Ambipar’s site in Guarulhos, a major industrial hub in the state of São Paulo, the facility is part of a broader modernization initiative. Over recent years, Ambipar has made targeted investments in its recycling infrastructure, aiming to significantly increase its capacity to process and reintegrate container glass. With the implementation of Austrian-made REDWAVE systems, the company has reached a new milestone: the facility handles up to 25 tons of material per hour, sorting glass by color while reliably removing contaminants such as ceramics, stones, porcelain (CSP), metals, and organic residues.

Smart sorting for greater quality and efficiency
At the core of the plant are REDWAVE’s sensor-based sorting systems – specifically the CX and CXF series—equipped with high-resolution camera technology, intelligent software, and a custom-developed LED light source. The modular three-way configuration enables diverse sorting tasks to be handled within a compact layout – offering significant savings in both energy and operating costs.
REDWAVE technology excels particularly in the complex task of sorting post-consumer glass, including darker glass types that are typically difficult to detect due to color variation and contamination. The system enables precise separation of flint (clear) glass from colored glass, while also ensuring effective removal of unwanted materials. The result: a high-purity end product and a greater yield of high-quality secondary raw materials – reducing dependency on CO₂-intensive virgin resources and supporting a more sustainable glass industry.

From landfill to loop: Infrastructure as the key
Brazil stands at a turning point in its approach to glass recycling. Currently, around 75% of used glass packaging still ends up in landfills – 
a situation increasingly scrutinized by the country’s environmental authorities and industry stakeholders. The release of Decree 11.300 on December 21, 2022, established the legal foundation for nationwide take-back systems, paving the way for more structured and scalable collection models.

Companies like Ambipar play a pivotal role in this transformation by expanding local collection networks while investing in advanced processing technologies. With the commissioning of the new REDWAVE plant, Ambipar has tripled its glass recycling capacity. The facility spans approximately 11,000 m² and is designed with scalability in mind – ready to grow in step with demand.