The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP) had produced an industry guide titled The Reuse of Glass Partitioning Systems, offering clear, practical advice to support the reuse of glass partitioning systems in commercial fit-outs.
Authored by ASBP Director and Reuse Lead, Debbie Ward, the guidance responds to growing demand across the built environment for lower carbon, circular solutions. It provides comprehensive direction for clients, designers, contractors and manufacturers on how to integrate reuse into design, deconstruction, and procurement processes—ultimately helping to reduce waste and embodied carbon associated with glass partitioning systems.
Why Glass Partition Reuse Matters: Key Facts from the guide
- 750,000 tonnes of flat glass waste generated annually in the UK
- 500,000 tonnes of that ends up in landfill
- Only 6% of flat glass is currently recycled — most is downcycled
- Reuse and closed-loop recycling could cut glass sector emissions by up to 18.6%
- In one case study Reusing just 18 linear metres of partitioning and 10 doors saved over 5 tonnes of CO₂e
James Parlour, Head of Technical at the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS), commented : “This guidance supports a cultural shift toward seeing reuse as a viable, achievable option. With the right planning, glass partitions can be reused safely and effectively, helping us meet more ambitious environmental targets.”
Key themes include early-stage decision-making, material passports, safe deconstruction and storage, performance considerations, and the potential role of manufacturers in take-back and warranty schemes. The guidance also outlines policy and procurement measures that could help drive more widespread reuse and high-value recycling.
The Reuse of Glass Partitioning Systems is available to download now.
Find out more about ASBP’s work on reuse and its Reuse Now Campaign here.
Case studies
ASBP's Reuse Now Campaign
The Reuse of Glass Partitioning Systems Guidance is part of the Reuse Now Campaign. The campaign began a few years ago with the ASBP-led DISRUPT project, which explored the innovative reuse of structural steel in construction through the creation and adoption of new circular business models, and has gained momentum since spanning a wide remit of circular economy related topics, predominantly focussing on reuse.
2025/2026 campaign sponsors are reuse stalwarts Cleveland Steel & Tubes, Optima Systems and Reusefully.
ASBP has been working on the topic of material reuse for nearly 10 years, with past activities including DISRUPT and DISRUPT II, the From Demolition to Deconstruction event series, various webinars on topics such as Material Passports and Pre-Demolition Audits, and three sold-out Reuse Summits (2023, 2024 and 2025).
We work closely with our members and experts in the wider industry to deliver best practice and innovative thinking, liaise with stakeholders to join the dots and limit repetition, and strive to ensure our outputs are practical and impactful to support the acceleration of reuse in the construction industry. Our in-house expertise comprises Technical Director Dr. Katherine Adams, Circular Economy & Reuse Director Debbie Ward and Research Associate Dr. Asselia Katenbayeva, who bring 35+ years of academic and industry-focussed research and development on the topics of waste, reuse and circular economy.