Types of glass

Architectural glass

Recovering glass from windows is not simple, and WRAP is working on the economic, practical and technical challenges to enable more to be collected.

WRAP has published research showing that the domestic window replacement sector generates around 90,000 tonnes of glass every year. Until now, all of that glass has gone straight into landfill and these figures are expected to rise to between 160,000 and 250,000 tonnes per year over the next 10 years.

Key drivers:

  • Glass can be recycled over and over again, once sent to landfill it is lost forever.
  • Separating and recycling glass could significantly reduce waste management costs.
  • Landfill tax will double by 2009, furthering increasing disposal costs.
  • WRAP continues to develop end markets for recycled glass in areas as diverse as water filtration, sports turf, brick manufacture and decorative aggregate for bar counters.

 

Container glass

Container glass has been collected through bottle banks since 1977. Further convenience is increasingly becoming available through kerbside collection.

For more information on how to recycle your bottles and jars visit www.recyclenow.com and search by your postcode.

 

Automotive glass

It is estimated that, every year, the UK disposes of 45,000 tonnes of glass in its old cars and commercial vehicles. If the glass is removed prior to shredding it may be used in a variety of end markets once the plastic laminate interlayer contained in front windscreens is removed. Although commercial separation is limited, the results in end applications are highly encouraging.


Key drivers:

  • Glass can be recycled over and over again, once sent to landfill it is lost forever.
  • Separating and recycling glass could significantly reduce waste management costs.
  • Landfill tax will double by 2009, furthering increasing disposal costs.

 

Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)

It is estimated that in 2003, the UK disposed of 104,000 tonnes of glass from its old television sets and PC monitors. Furthermore, this level of waste arisings is set to continue until at least 2010.

Some CRT glass is being used in the manufacture of new CRTs, either within the UK or the export market. New uses are required and WRAP is investigating its use as a fluxing agent in clay products (e.g. bricks) or as a means of producing glass bricks and tiles.

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