Glass Recycling

Recycling glass creates a greener business

Glass recycling is one of many steps businesses take to create a greener work place. In 2006, America dumped 13.2 million tons of glass in the municipal waste stream. Only 22% of that was recycled. Every ounce of recycled glass can be reused in different ways: as new glass products, concrete, home decor and much more.

Recycling glass is only the first step, though. Buy recycled glass to complete the process. More than 90% of recycled glass goes toward new glass products. Glass manufacturers rely on a steady supply of recycled glass known as cullet to form new products. Using recycled glass also benefits glass recycling companies because its cheaper and requires less energy to melt to form new glass.

1. Glass recycling businesses vary from city to city. So, contact your local waste management company for information about glass recycling.
2. Many glass recycling companies offer pick-up services and pay for recycled glass.
3. Purchase materials made from recycled glass to save energy and prevent the consumption of more raw materials.
   

 

Find a glass recycling business

Every city provides different municipal regulations to handle recycled materials. Keep residential glass out of landfills by finding your local glass recycling company and its requirements for recycling. Glass must be separated by color and type to recycle. Some glass recycling businesses may sort the glass, but, others require you to sort them.
Try: Planet Recycling offers industrial products, including glass recycling equipment, as well as solutions to recycle glass. Earth911 offers a search engine to find local glass recyclers and information about glass recycling.

Sell recycled glass

Glass recycling as a business can be profitable since most glass manufacturers rely on a steady supply of cullet for production. Residential glass, such as wine bottles, soda bottles, vases, and decorative glassware are converted into new glass products.
Try: Visit Glassgo Exchange Network for a listing of glass recycling buyers. Check out the market price for various forms of recycled glass at RecycleNet.

Buy recycled glass

In the glass recycling business, the end product is a new glass product. To fulfill your recycling efforts, purchase recycled glass products. By buying glass made from recycled materials, you support recycling companies; these are usually small, local businesses. In addition, you save raw materials and energy. Recycled glass cullet heats quicker than raw materials and therefore requires less time and energy to process.
Try: The California Integrated Waste Management Board provides a list of companies selling recycled glass as new products. Contact EnviroGLAS for a recycled glass home and office building products.

 

• During the glass recycling process, an entire batch of recycled glass can be ruined if glass is not cleaned and separated appropriately. Rinse out bottles and food containers. Though every recycling center varies, the main categories to divide glass by are flint (clear), amber, and colored. Do not include window glass, light bulbs, ovenware or ceramic material.

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