Glass is produced by melting raw materials such as silica, soda ash, and limestone at high temperatures, after which the molten material is shaped and cooled to form glass products.
Recycling glass lessens environmental harm by reducing the need to extract raw materials like silica sand, which can damage ecosystems, affect drainage, and threaten biodiversity.
Because glass decomposes very slowly, recycling it helps reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills, which in turn decreases the demand for larger landfill sites and conserves resources.
Recycling glass helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions because producing new glass requires high energy, which releases these gases. Using recycled glass lowers the energy needed for melting, thus cutting emissions.
Recycling glass makes a positive impact by saving electricity and lowering carbon emissions, as it replaces the need for raw materials in glass production.
Recycling values differ depending on glass color: clear glass generally has the highest value, while green and brown glass values fluctuate based on demand and regional factors.
Heat-strengthened glass is produced by reheating and cooling annealed glass at a faster rate, resulting in a product that is roughly twice as strong.
Glass bottles can take millions of years to decompose when buried in a landfill.
Recycling one glass jar can save enough electricity to power a CFL bulb for several hours.
According to the EPA, 7.6 million tons of glass bottles and jars are discarded in landfills each year, resulting in the loss of valuable raw materials and resources.