Recycling

Glass is highly recyclable. Ninety percent of recycled glass is used to produce more glass containers. The rest can be used on tile fiberglass, beads etc. Being ecofriendly is a big concern these days and glass is highly recyclable.  According to the recycling coalition of Utah, one ton of recycled glass saves:

• 42 kWh of electricity.
• 5 gallons of oil.
• 714.3 Btu’s of energy.
• 2 cubic yards of landfill space.
• 7.5 pounds of air pollutants from being released.
• 1,330 pounds of sand.
• 433 pounds of soda ash.
• 433 pounds of limestone.
• 151 pounds of feldspar.

 

Cullet- Recycled Glass

What  is more environmentally friendly glass or plastic?

Glass can be recycled over and over forever and it keeps its color strength purity, clearness and quality. It is 100% recyclable. Plastic on the other hand, because of the change in the chemical structure is made into other products unlike glass. Plastic loses its integrity, causing downcycling. That is why water bottles do not become water bottles again with plastic, but can with glass. On the other hand recycled glass takes 66% of energy used originally to make same product. Plastic takes only 10% of original cost to make a different lower quality item. It is obviously good to recycle. Which do you think is the better to use: glass or plastic?