Whole Glass Container Collection in the South West
The project managed by Rezolve Kernow aimed to investigate different methods for container glass collection able to sit alongside existing collection mechanisms, specifically for whole bottles, in order to increase higher value glass recycling by a Cornish glass processers.
The project assessed the opportunity for on-vehicle densification which might allow rural and remote areas (typical of the Cornwall region) to improve the economics of glass collection and reduce the environmental impacts associated with haulage.
The second part of this project considered the potential for on vehicle glass densification to reduce the impact of haulage on collection scheme economics. The environmental impact of crushing whilst collecting will be assessed with reference to reduction in collection and haulage costs, and the associated financial and environmental benefits.
Background
The majority of the container glass collection in Cornwall is facilitated through bring banks and often results in containers being cracked or smashed. This method of collection often renders the bottles unfit for use in the added value process by local Cornish manufacturer Green Glass who require whole glass bottles for the production of decorative drinking glasses.
Objectives
The first part of the project was to develop best practice methods for the collection of whole undamaged bottles from the retail and leisure sectors and transport them safely and securely for use by the Green Glass Company Ltd. a local reprocessor. Green Glass has a requirement for a large number of clean, delabelled undamaged glass bottles for its manufacturing process of turning them into drinking glasses. The company aims to source over 90% of its glass from within Cornwall in order to optimise the commercial and environmental benefit. The lack of easy access to major UK re-processing facilities and markets represent key barriers to glass recycling in the South-West, typically a bottle from West Cornwall will might travel in excess of three hundred miles to be re-processed.
The key aim for the project was to develop a methodology for sourcing and recycling glass locally from Cornwall and the South West. The project objectives included:
- To engage with local business and the public with trialing a unique collection bin system, designed to increase awareness in high value waste reprocessing.
- To examine the feasibility (practical, environmental and commercial) of densifying glass on collection vehicles.
- To assess current densifying glass collection technology availability - including any related IPR
- To identify potential customers for recycled glass
Update
The project completed in March of 2005 and found the publicly available collection bins were deemed unsuccessful due to the low level of suitable glass containers recovered.
In contrast the branded wheelie bins trialed at 3 locations provided viable quantities and quality of glass. As a result of the publicity generated by the project, the Green Glass company has been able to increase their opportunities to source suitable glass and the project anticipates that over the next twelve months around 200 tonnes of undamaged glass containers will be diverted from low value reprocessing or landfill.
Commercial collectors were generally positive about on vehicle densification seeing the potential for cost savings. The local authorities involved in the project reported advantages of the system, but felt they were not in a position to benefit directly because of tied contracts. Their feedback highlighted the need for having a flexible and robust system that can deal with glass collected in a number of different containers and with a range of glass types and sizes.
The IPR and technology review highlighted a number of glass compaction systems but no mobile systems were found.
Documents
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South West Container Glass Collection
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This project researched different methods for container glass collection within the South West of England. Section One examines whole bottle collection and Section Two investigates the potential for on vehicle glass densification.
