Glass is one of the most common materials used in everyday life, but it also poses a challenge for waste management. It can be reused and recycled endlessly without losing quality or purity, but only if collected, sorted, and processed properly. In this article, we will explain how the glass recycling process works, how to recycle glass bottles and jars at home, and how to reduce glass waste.
Glass Recycling Process Explained: How to Dispose of and Recycle Glass Properly
Glass is a versatile material but it can also shatter easily and cause injuries if not disposed of properly. There are two main methods to dispose of glass: recycling or trashing. Recycling is the better option, as it conserves energy, reduces landfills, and protects natural resources. However, recycling broken glass can be tough as there aren’t many services that recycle broken glass. Therefore, knowing how to remove broken glass and crockery is essential for everyone’s safety.
You can follow these steps to dispose of broken glass safely
- Lay the glass on a cloth and wrap it tightly so that it is hidden.
- Carefully break it into smaller pieces.
- Pick it up and place it in your box.
- If the box is too large and there is a lot of space, then add more cloth over the wrapped glass to hold it in place.
- Shut the box and seal it with strong tape.
- On a big white piece of paper, write the words “Broken glass in box” in red.
- Stick the sign to the box with tape.
- Put it on a high shelf until garbage collection day.
How is Glass Recycled?
Glass recycling consists of several steps that involve collecting, transporting, sorting, breaking, screening, drying, pulverizing, and classifying glass waste.
Here is how each step works
- Glass Waste Hauling: Glass waste is collected from various sources, such as homes, businesses, or public places, by different methods, such as curbside bins, drop-off centers, or bottle deposit programs. The collected glass is then transported to specialized glass recycling centers for further processing.
- Glass Waste Grading: At the recycling centers, the glass waste is sorted by an optical system that detects and removes contaminants, such as metals, plastics, or other glass types that have different melting points or colors. The glass waste is also sorted by color, which is determined by the additives used during its production, such as carbon for brown glass.
- Glass Waste Smashing: The sorted glass waste is then broken into smaller pieces by hammers that crush the glass automatically. A little water may be added to prevent the glass particles from flying around.
- Glass Waste Sifting: The broken glass pieces are then screened by rotary screens that separate them by size, usually 3/8” and 3/4”. A fan is also used to blow away the paper labels that may still be attached to the glass pieces. Any items that are too large or too small to pass through the screens are discarded or recycled separately.
- Glass Waste Cleansing: The screened glass pieces are then dried by a bed drier that pushes hot air (around 190F) through the glass and the bed. This helps to remove any sugar, bacteria, or glue that may still be present on the glass pieces. A vacuum is also used to extract any remaining contaminants from the glass pieces.
- Glass Waste Refining: The dried glass pieces are then screened again by a meshed screen that allows only the smaller pieces to pass through. The larger pieces are redirected to a pulverizer that breaks them down further until they are small enough to pass through the screen. This process is repeated until all the glass pieces are of the desired size.
- Glass Waste Categorizing: The pulverized glass pieces are then screened again by secondary screens that classify them by size according to the final use. Different products require different sizes of glass pieces, so each grade is sent to a specific manufacturing sector.
- Cullet: The final product of the glass recycling process is called cullet, which is the term for recycled glass. The cullet can range from pebbles to sand in size, depending on the product. The cullet can be used to make new glass containers or other products, such as fiberglass, ceramics, filtration units, abrasives, and more.
You can recycle glass bottles and jars endlessly but some glass products are made differently and can disrupt the recycling process. These are some examples of glass that you can’t recycle: Light bulbs, windows, mirrors, plate glass, eyeglasses, glass art, Pyrex baking dishes, fluorescent lighting tubes, broken glass, drinking glasses, and crystal glass.
Glass Bottle to Sand Crushers
These are machines that turn glass bottles into sand, small pieces, or powders. They work by using hammers or blades to break the glass into smaller fragments, and then spinning them in a vortex or a blender to smooth out the edges. Some machines also use water to prevent the glass dust from flying around.
Some examples of Glass bottles to Sand Crushers are
- Glass2Sand: Glass2Sand is an initiative by Udit Singhal, a 19-year-old from India, who imported the technology from New Zealand. He has collected and crushed over 14,000 glass bottles and produced 8,400 kilograms of high-grade silica sand.
- Andela: Andela is a company that produces glass pulverizers that can process up to 20 tons of glass per hour.
- Home Glass Crusher: Home Glass Crusher is a device that can be installed in a kitchen or a bar. It can crush one glass bottle at a time and produce sand or grit in a matter of seconds
Glass Recycling Machine Price
Depending on the type, function, and application of glass recycling machines, their price can range from an estimated $800 to $100,000. You can buy single components or full systems, which will also affect the price. The price may also vary by model, brand, supplier, and market conditions. So, it is wise to compare different options and pick the best one for your glass recycling operation.
How to Recycle Glass Bottles?
Glass bottles can be recycled, but other glass products can’t. Recycling glass is good for the environment because it saves resources, energy, and landfill space. It also preserves the glass quality.
To recycle glass bottles properly, you should follow these steps
Step 1: Check the label to see if the bottle is recyclable. Some glass has a different composition and can’t be recycled with glass bottles.
Step 2: Empty and rinse the bottle to remove any contents and residue. This prevents contamination and odor in the recycling process.
Step 3: Keep the metal caps and lids on the bottle. They are also recyclable and won’t get separated from the bottle during sorting.
Step 4: Remove the corks if the bottle has any. They are not recyclable with glass, but they can be composted.
Before putting glass containers in your bin for recycling, rinse them well. This prevents food waste and bad smells. If you can, take off the labels too. This reduces pollution and keeps the glass clean for recycling.
Here are some ways to recycle glass at home:
- Get glass ready for curbside recycling programs or drop-off centers. We have talked about the steps before.
- If you can’t find any recycling centers, use GlassRecycling.org’s glass recycling map to locate a place that takes glass near you.
- Reuse Glass Bottles and Jars for different purposes, such as water bottles, candle holders, or flower vases.
- Don’t throw away broken glass in the trash. It can be dangerous. You can make mosaic art with broken pieces or use a rock tumbler to make lovely sea glass. You can use them to decorate things like wind chimes.
How to Reduce Glass Waste?
Reducing your consumption of single-use items made of glass or other materials, such as plastic, paper, or metal, is one of the best ways to reduce your impact on the environment. By using less, you can save energy, resources, and emissions, as well as prevent pollution and waste.
Here are some strategies to reduce your glass waste
- Buy less but better-quality products that last longer and require less maintenance. For example, choose durable glassware that can withstand heat and cold, and avoid disposable items such as plastic cups or paper plates.
- Repair, reuse, or donate items that are still functional instead of throwing them away. For example, fix a cracked glass vase with glue, reuse glass jars for storage or crafts, or donate unwanted glass items to a charity or thrift store.
- Sell, swap, or share items that you no longer need or want instead of discarding them. For example, sell your old glass bottles or jars online or at a garage sale, swap them with your friends or neighbors for something else, or share them with a community group or school that can use them for projects or events.
Conclusion:
We hope this article has helped you to understand the glass recycling process and how to dispose of and recycle glass properly. Proper glass disposal can protect the collectors and the animals from harm and injury. Recycling glass can help create a more sustainable and circular economy. We appreciate your reading and hope you recycle glass responsibly.