Glass
Information on the reuse and recycling of glass packaging.
Facts and figures
- The raw materials needed to produce glass are simple and readily available – sand, limestone and soda ash.
- The Egyptians first used the basic process in approximately 3000 BC!
- A typical furnace is operational all year round producing around 300 tonnes of glass a day.
- Glass can be recycled over and over again without any loss in quality. Containers produced using recycled glass is as pure as that made from raw materials.
- Welwyn Hatfield residents collected almost 2,200 tonnes of glass packaging for recycling and reuse during 2006/07 - this is equivalent to 220 large refuse freighters full!
Why should I recycle?
Recycling glass has a number of benefits: |  |
How is glass recycled and what happens to it?
Consumption - Over 75% of glass containers end up in our homes. Unfortunately, householders landfill around 1,400,000 tonnes of glass each year. This glass will never decompose in landfill and is a waste of a useful material. Whether the glass is collected at the kerbside mixed, or at bottle banks, it is all taken to a mill, crushed and incorrect materials are removed. 
- Colour separated crushed glass is sent on to the manufacturer where it is recycled into new containers. Here it is mixed with sand, soda ash and limestone, as well as colouring agents and sent to the furnace. As much recycled glass as possible is used because it melts at a lower temperature (saving energy) and once melted becomes pure again.
Glass container making - The mixture is cut into small pieces which are fired into a forming machine where the glass is pressed and blown into shape within a mould and emerges as a glass bottle or jar. Finally the new glass bottles or jars are ready to be filled with food and drink and delivered to shops.
Alternative uses - The UK consumes high levels of imported green wine bottles, yet has a relatively small domestic demand for green glass. This over supply of glass means that alternative markets have been found for its reuse. For example, the glass is ground down to produce a sand-like material. This has many uses including replacing sand/aggregates in construction including road building, as well as in water filtration and shot blasting. |
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For further information
If you require more information you may find the following websites of interest.