Purpose 

Even if glass is 100% recyclable, only 1% of window glass is currently handled in closed loop supply chains (CLSC) in Sweden, causing unnecessary environmental impact and indicating the existence of challenges. The purpose of this article is to increase the knowledge on challenges for applying closed loop supply chains (CLSC) for window glass. 

Design/methodology/approach 

Based upon a literature review, a first framework of challenges in different types of CLSC for window glass is developed. The challenges are complemented, elaborated and validated in two workshops with glass experts and construction stakeholders respectively, followed by interviews with experts on glass recycling. 

Findings 

Four different types of CLSC are identified. Many window glass CLSC design challenges in material and information flows are identified; the lack of large-scale actors, lack of general and specific knowledge, lack of business models, uncertain product quality and lack of promotion for window glass CLSC. The literature focuses more on operations and control challenges, as compared to our empirical findings. 

Research limitations/implications 

The developed framework structures and exemplifies challenges, which implies expanded CLSC knowledge in a specific setting. Both the model and the identified CLSC types are contributions to the CLSC literature. A research agenda is also presented. 

Practical limitations/implications 

Practitioners can learn from and mitigate the challenges. The research agenda indicates and assists in how. This can lead to a higher recycling rate of window glass. 

Originality/value 

Very limited research on CLSC for the recycling of window glass is identified, thus the study demonstrates originality.