Glass Recycling Is Efficient and Sustainable
Glass Recycling Is Efficient and Sustainable
Glass takes one million years to decompose in a landfill, yet recycled glass can reappear as a new product within 30 days. Industrial recycling of glass saves energy, conserves natural resources, and is good for the environment.
The Glass Packaging Institute offers these statistics on glass recycling:
- Glass bottles and jars are 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without any loss in purity or quality.
- More than a ton of natural resources is saved for every ton of glass recycled.
- Recycled glass is substituted for up to 95% of raw materials.
- Recycling 1,000 tons of glass creates more than eight jobs.
What Could Recycling 24 Glass Containers a Week Do?
If the average U.S. consumer would recycle 24 glass containers per week, then over the course of one year, a total of 1,248 glass containers would be recycled per consumer. That would save 124,823 watts of energy!
What can recycling 24 containers a week do?
Well, it could:
- Light a compact florescent bulb for: 7 Days 3 Hours
- Light a standard 60-watt light bulb for: 1 Day 16 Hours
- Operate a computer for: 8 Hours
- Operate a TV for: 5 Hours 20 Minutes
That means for a full year, you could:
- Light a compact florescent bulb for: 1 Year 6 Days
- Light a standard 60-watt light bulb for: 2 Months 25 Days
- Operate a computer for: 17 Days 8 Hours
- Operate a TV for: 11 Days 13 Hours
All from 24 glass containers a week
More Glass Facts
Glass Facts:
- Americans generated 11.6 million tons of glass in the municipal solid waste (MSW) stream in 2012.
- About 28% of the glass was recovered for recycling.
- Glass recycling increased from 750,000 tons in 1980 to more than three million tons in 2012.
- Food, soft drink, beer, food, wine, and liquor containers represent the largest source of glass generated and recycled.
Partner with Power Recycling!
Power Recycling specializes in the recycling of pallets, wood, corrugated board, plastic, shrink-wrap, paper, glass, and metals. If your business needs require something more, just ask us. We offer the most environmentally responsible, cost- effective solution for all your material handling needs. Our customized approach to exceptional service includes free on-site trailers for high-volume recycling and transportation service 7 days per week, 24 hours per day.
Identify Opportunities Through a Waste Stream Audit
Our team of experts is committed to helping you improve your material flow and cut costs through waste reduction and recycling. Power Recycling offers a waste stream audit to review operations and waste generation, enabling you to make informed decisions on how to allocate resources for source reduction and recycling programs. Create resources through recycling – Call Power Recycling!
