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Glass Facts & Sustainability

What is Glass?

Glass is a transparent, hard, and brittle inorganic material made from silica, soda ash, and limestone. These items are melted at high temperatures to form a molten liquid.

Then, after the liquid cools and solidifies, it forms a solid material that is transparent, durable, and resistant to heat and chemicals. Glass is moldable into various shapes and sizes, including flat sheets, bottles, jars, and more.

Amazing Glass Facts (from the Glass Packing Institute):

  • Recycled endlessly with no loss in quality or purity
  • Saves raw materials 
  • 3.2 million tons of recycled glass is remelted and repurposed
  • Lessens the energy demand
  • Cuts CO2 emissions (a greenhouse gas)
  • Glass recycling is a closed-loop system (no processing by-products)
  • Today glass is 40% lighter than 30 years ago
  • Glass packaging can handle vacuum or high-pressure sealing, safeguarding against moisture and oxygen invasions
  • Made from non-toxic raw materials—silica, sand, soda ash, limestone, and up to 70% recycled glass
  • Glass has an almost zero rate of chemical interaction
  • Does not deteriorate, corrode, stain or fade
  • Does not biodegrade
  • Don’t recycle broken glass (colored glass is recyclable)

Where is Glass Made?

While glass is made worldwide, the location where glass is made can depend on several factors, such as the availability of raw materials, the cost of energy, and proximity to markets.

Some of the largest glass manufacturers in the world are located in countries such as China, the United States, Japan, Germany, and India. These companies produce a wide range of glass products, including flat glass for buildings, automotive glass, food and beverage containers, and specialty glass for electronics and other applications.

How Much Glass Do We Make & Recycle?

The amount of glass produced and recycled varies by country and region.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global glass production reached around 160 million metric tons in 2020. A majority of this production being used for container glass (e.g., bottles and jars) and flat glass (e.g., windows and mirrors).

Compared to other materials, the overall recycling rate for glass is relatively high compared to other materials. According to the Glass Packaging Institute, the average recycling rate for glass containers in the U.S. was 33.5% in 2020. In Europe, the recycling rate for glass packaging reached 76% in 2019, according to the European Container Glass Federation.

Surprisingly, glass is recycled infinitely without losing quality or purity. Recycling glass can help to conserve natural resources, reduce energy consumption, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Finally, while a significant amount of glass is produced each year, the high recycling rate for glass helps to ensure that much of this material is diverted from landfills and reused in a closed-loop system.

History of Glass

Humans have been using glass for thousands of years, with the earliest known artifacts dating back to around 3500 BCE. The ancient Egyptians are often credited with developing some of the earliest glass-making techniques, which they used to create decorative beads and jewelry.

Over time, the use of glass spread to other cultures and civilizations, with glass becoming a valued material for art, decoration, and functional purposes. The ancient Romans, for example, were known for their skilled glass-making techniques, which they used to produce a wide range of glassware, including bowls, plates, and cups.

In the Middle Ages, the glass remained an important material, with the production of stained glass windows becoming a prominent art form in Europe. During the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries, new glass production methods improved efficiency and quantities.

Today, glass is widely used in many industries, including construction, automotive, and packaging. It continues to be valued for its unique properties, including transparency, durability, and recyclability.

Glass Recycling Process

The length of the glass recycling process can vary depending on several factors: the type of glass recycled, the recycling technology used, and the location of the recycling facility.

STAGES:

  • collection
  • transportation
  • sorting
  • cleaning
  • remanufacturing

Once the glass is collected and transported to the recycling facility, it is sorted by color, cleaned to remove impurities, and crushed into small pieces or cullet.

The cullet is then melted in a furnace at high temperatures to create new glass products. The molten glass is molded into the desired shape and cooled to solidify. The entire process can take several days to a few weeks. While the glass recycling process can take some time, it is an essential step towards reducing waste and conserving natural resources.

Recycled vs. New Glass

Recycled glass has a lower carbon footprint.

Producing new glass involves extracting raw materials such as sand, soda ash, and limestone from the earth, transporting them to a glass manufacturing facility, and then melting them at high temperatures to produce new glass. This process requires lots of energy, typically from burning fossil fuels, leading to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

Comparatively, producing recycled glass requires less energy as it involves melting and remolding already manufactured glass. Recycling glass also reduces the need to extract and process new raw materials, reducing the environmental impact.

According to some estimates, producing recycled glass uses up to 40% less energy than making new glass, which can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Glass That Goes to the Landfill

Firstly, glass is an inorganic material that does not biodegrade, which means it will remain in the landfill indefinitely. However, it may biodegrade after millions of years! Over time, the glass can accumulate and take up valuable space in the landfill, which can contribute to creating new landfills and destroying natural habitats.

Sending glass to the landfill instead of recycling it can have significant environmental consequences, including accumulating waste, releasing harmful chemicals, and contributing to climate change. Bottom line: Don’t Trash Glass.

Sustainability & Glass

Glass is a more sustainable material due to several reasons. Here are a few points to consider:

  1. Recyclability: Because glass is infinitely recyclable, it can be recycled and reused in a closed-loop system. This helps to conserve natural resources and reduce waste.
  2. Durability: Glass is a durable material that can last long, reducing the need for frequent replacements and lowering the overall environmental impact.
  3. Energy Efficiency: Glass can help improve buildings’ energy efficiency by allowing natural light to enter, reducing the need for artificial lighting and heating.
  4. Non-toxic: Glass is a non-toxic material that does not release harmful chemicals into the environment, making it safe for food and beverage packaging.
  5. Local production: Reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation and distribution.

However, it is worth noting that glass production requires significant energy inputs, particularly in the melting process. Additionally, the transportation of glass can also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, producing and transporting glass efficiently and sustainably is crucial.

In summary, while glass is not without its environmental impacts, it can be considered a sustainable material due to its recyclability, durability, and other unique properties.

Xoxo,
Jen

#unmakeyourmark

Sources and More Eco-Education:

https://www.gpi.org/why-recycle-glass

https://assets.noviams.com/novi-file-uploads/gpi/photos/Recycling/Glass_Recycling_Infographic_0.png

https://earth911.com/business-policy/how-many-times-recycled/

https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/glass-material-specific-data