Glass Recycling

Glass recycling is right up there with aluminum recycling. When it comes to the ease of it it's a known fact that glass can be recycled over and over.  Glass can be reused indefinitely because the structure is usually intact during the recycling process.  This means that recycling glass is very important. 

By recycling glass you will help to cut down on waste in landfills and help to cut down on energy use and resource use that goes into making brand new glass products.

Types of Glass

When recycling glass it is usually necessary to separate the glass out by color.  If this isn't done by you, then it will be done at the recycling center.  There are generally three colors - green, clear and amber.  In order to keep the new glass that is made after the recycling process be as good and look as good as new glass, it is important to separate out the different colors. 

What to Recycle

Glass recycling is not just for bottles.  There are many different types of glass products that are throw out in the trash everyday in the average home.  It could be broken dishes or light bulbs.  Any type of glass can be recycled and it should be recycled.  So, instead of throwing your broken or used glass items in the trash - recycle them.

The Recycling Process

Recycling glass involves collection and separation of the glass items.  Then the glass is cleaned of contaminants and purified.  The glass is then crushed and with a raw material mix it is melted in a furnace, creating new glass that can then be blow into new products.  Glass that is recycled can also be used, once crushed, in a type of road paving, called glassphalt. 

Recycling glass uses less energy than making new glass products.  Additionally, using recycled glass means that no more materials need to be gathered and thus save some natural resources. 

As you can see, recycling glass is something you really need to be doing.  It is easy to simply separate out your glass waste and sit it out with your other recycling for roadside pick up.  You will be doing this earth a lot of good and your efforts will be recognized by lower pollution in the air and less energy use overall.