How is Glass Recycled?

Here’s a breakdown of how glass is recycled:

Colored glass containers are created by adding a coloring agent that cannot be removed. This means that colored glass, such as green and brown glass, can only be used to produce new green and brown glass, respectively.

1. Separation of Contaminants: Any glass that has been contaminated by color mixing or other contaminants can be used to insulate fiberglass or as an ingredient in concrete.
2. Cullet Creation: Cullet is crushed glass. It is created by melting down bottles and jars in a furnace. Any paper labels left on the glass will be burnt off, but metal lids are removed so they do not harm the furnace. Cullet melts at a lower temperature than raw ingredients (such as sand), and is used to make new glass. Significant energy savings are achieved in this process.
3. Reformation: Cullet serves as the main ingredient in new glass containers. The melted cullet is molded into the desired shape, such as a a bottle or jar, with the end product back on the shelves within 30 days of the original glass container being recycled.