TIP IT RUBBISH REMOVALWhy You Shouldn’t Throw Glass Rubbish in the Bin
In the last few decades, the amount of glass waste that countries generate has skyrocketed.
You would be surprised to know that it takes millions of years for broken glass to degrade. Glass, quite like plastic bags, takes years to decompose in landfills and, therefore, poses a negative impact on the environment. However, if you are cautious, you can recycle glass using different recycling facilities without having to compromise on purity and quality.
But just because glass is one of the recyclable materials, it doesn’t mean you can throw all types of glasses in the bins. Before you throw a glass in a recycling bin, it is essential to check its type. For example, drinking glasses, glass bottles, jars, and light bulbs would all be recycled differently.
In today’s guide, we will take you through all that you need to know about glass recycling. So, let’s dive right in!
Types Of Glass That Will Go In The Recycling Bin
Most of the recycling facilities come with a glass recycling bin that transforms discarded glass into fibreglass and new glass products. Mostly, a recycling facility will easily accept brown, green and clear glass bottles and containers. But keep in mind that the facilities are less likely to put other types of glass in their recycling bins.
The following types of glass products are not suitable for drop off facilities:
- Ceramics
- Window glass
- Glass cookware
- Container glass in mixed colours
- Crystals and mirrors
- Old light bulbs
- Glass in plastic bags
In case you end up putting any of these items in recycling bins, they can make things quite chaotic. These types of glass have varied melting points and sometimes even contain hazardous chemicals. So, if you try to recycle a glass object that has a higher melting point with one that has a lower melting point, things might turn really bad.
What Is Suitable For A Recycling Bin?
Recycling facilities generally tend to refer to a single type of glass for recycling as the melting points are the same that way. Once recycled, these facilities turn the recycled glass into glass jars and other products. If you end up putting different materials in the glass recycling bin, the chances are that they will shatter when you cool them.
Try avoiding any glass waste that has chemical coatings on it. For this, you can check the raw materials to see that you are not putting anything into the mix, which might contaminate things in the recycling facility.
Effective Ways Of Glass Recycling
1. Visit The Drop-Off Centre To Recycle Glass
As we have already mentioned, not all types of glasses are suitable for recycling facilities and can even destroy a landfill. In case you have CFL or light bulbs that have mercury in them, it is best to send them to hardware stores or take them to a drop-off station.
These facilities all have the technology to handle glass that contains hazardous chemicals in them. They are even capable of handling ceramic waste, oven proof glass and light bulbs, too. Avoid storing these items in a plastic bag and simply take it to a drop-off centre to get them recycled.
2. Consider Donating
In case you are planning to get rid of drinking glasses or other glassware, you can consider donating them or putting them up for a garage sale. Drinking glasses, in particular, come with a high melting point which might mess up the recycling process.
With some research, you should be able to find recycling facilities or organizations that take old glass windows and doors. Many of these facilities donate these to needy families who cannot afford to purchase them. You can always give away discarded glass that the poor can use for other purposes.
3. Repurposing Broken Glass
Broken glass or old glass can work great if you recycle them properly. They do not necessarily need to go to the trash or garbage bins. Instead of throwing them, you can turn them into beautiful accessories and furniture.
Some people use glass bottles and turn them into vases and planters. Any discarded glass container can be easily turned into bird feeders. Using old bottles and jars by putting light fixtures in them is also not a bad idea. Glass recycling needs creativity, and you just have to consider how you can recycle the tiny pieces of glass in the most efficient manner.
Advantages Of Glass Recycling
The amount of energy needed to make glass from the raw materials is quite high when compared to recycling glass. When you recycle, you save a lot of energy. Another advantage to recycling the material is that it significantly cuts down on air and water pollution.
When you recycle glass, you save the landfills from being overcrowded with glass bottles and jars. In short, if you are creative, you can recycle it to make any space look beautiful and even save the environment. And to make this happen, you need to indulge in glass recycling in a cautious way.
Final Words
After reading this guide, we hope you have a better idea about what to do with your drinking glasses and other glass products when they turn old. You can use them to store food, send them to drop-off centres, or simply donate them.
In case you have trouble doing it all by yourself, get in touch with a rubbish removal company. The team will help you get any glass products recycled. As such, your aim should be to create a greener community and reduce the carbon footprint as much as possible.
By recycling and reusing glass the correct way, we will be able to leave behind a better environment for our future generations. Your small step can have a long-lasting impact on Earth and its inhabitants!
