07 Feb Glass Recycling Facts
Today we are going to discuss some facts about recycling glass containers. A lot of us remember when when we were younger and you could turn in your glass bottles for a deposit back, that was the start of glass recycling. Today we rinse out our bottles and put them in the bin for pickup, how is that helping our environment? Below are some facts on how that helps;
- Glass bottles and jars are 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without any loss in purity or quality.
- The container and fiberglass industries collectively purchase 3 million tons of recycled glass annually, which is remelted and re-purposed for use in the production of new containers and fiberglass products.
- Over a ton of natural resources are saved for every ton of glass recycled.
- Energy costs drop about 2-3% for every 10% cullet used in the manufacturing process.
- One ton of carbon dioxide is reduced for every six tons of recycled container glass used in the manufacturing process.
- In 2013, 41.3% of beer and soft drink bottles were recovered for recycling, according to the U.S. EPA. Another 34.5% of wine and liquor bottles and 15% of food and other glass jars were recycled. In total, 34% of all glass containers were recycled, equivalent to taking 210,000 cars off the road each year.
- About 18% of beverages are consumed on premise, like a bar, restaurant, or hotel. And glass makes up to about 80% of that container mix.
- Recycled glass is substituted for up to 95% of raw materials.
- Manufacturers benefit from recycling in several ways—it reduces emissions and consumption of raw materials, extends the life of plant equipment, such as furnaces, and saves energy.
- An estimated 80% of all glass containers recovered for recycling are remelted in furnaces, and used in the manufacture of new glass containers. Source, Strategic Materials, Inc.
- Recycling 1,000 tons of glass creates slightly over 8 jobs. (Source: 2011 Container Recycling Institute).
For any questions on how we can assist you in glass or any form of recycling please contact us at 216-252-8090.
