Glass Recycling

Did you know, glass is estimated to start breaking down around 1 million years if it breaks down at all.  By recycling glass bottles we can put them back to good use and keep the circle of recycling going.  

(Information provided by www.earth911.com)

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FACTS ABOUT GLASS RECYCLING:
(From the Glass Packaging Institute)

80% of glass is estimated to be recycled into new containers.

3 million is the amount, in tons, of glass that was recovered for recycling in 2009 according to the U.S. EPA.

80% is the approximate percentage of glass beverage containers in California that gets recycled, mostly due to bottle bills that encourage recycling by offering refunds for glass bottles.

30 minutes is the length, that the energy from recycling one glass bottle can power a computer.

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Top Ten Reasons to Recycle Glass Bottles​

Recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to light a 100 watt light bulb for four hours or power a computer for 30 minutes.  That’s just one glass bottle.

More recycled glass bottles are needed. Stat. Glass container manufacturers have set a goal to reach 50% recycled content in the manufacture of new glass bottles by 2013.  They’re going to need a lot more.

Spare change. In 11 states with container deposit laws, you can get cash for recycling your empty glass bottles.

Conserve natural resources.  Over a ton are saved for every ton of glass containers recycled.

Saving energy. Costs for energy drop about 2-3% for every 10% recycled glass containers used in the manufacturing process. You see where this is going?

All this carbon footprint stuff, recycling glass bottles really does makes a difference.  Using six tons of recycled container glass in the manufacturing process equals one ton of carbon dioxide reduced.

Karma. Glass is 100% and endlessly recyclable.  A glass container can go from a recycling bin to a store shelf in as little as 30 days. It’s going to come back to you.

Bars (we know you’re there) are a hotbed for glass recycling. Over 35% of beer and soft drink bottles were recycled in 2008.  Is your corner bar recycling?

No dish washer required.  Just rinse and recycle your glass bottles and jars, however keep out coffee cups, dishware, and Pyrex.

What? You’re not drinking out of an endlessly recyclable glass bottle?  Start now.  Glass is 100% pure taste and no after taste.

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Benefits of Recycling Glass

It is important to recycle glass because it is 100 percent recyclable.  Glass bottles and jars are an integral part of any community recycling program.  They can be recycled endlessly without any loss in purity or quality.

Also, glass manufacturers require high-quality recycled container glass to meet market demands for new glass containers. Cullet or recycled glass, is always part of the recipe, which also includes sand, soda ash and limestone. The more cullet that is used, the greater the reduction in energy use.  This lowers manufacturing costs and benefits the environment.  Raw materials are conserved, and less energy demand reduces CO2 emissions and extends furnace life.

Bibliography: Benefits of Recycling Glass