Can you Recycle Broken Glass?

Here at Stevenage Glass, we know that now more so than ever, companies are committing to improving their environmental impact. 

Across all industries, throughout the country, organisations are evaluating how they can become more sustainable, in order to future-proof both their own operations, and the sector as a whole. 

Recycling is one of the simplest, quickest and easiest ways in which you can reduce your carbon footprint. 

But, one of the most common questions that we get asked is, ‘can you recycle broken glass?’. To answer that FAQ, and help you improve the way that your company recycles glass, we’ve shared this complete glass recycling guide. 

Can you recycle broken glass?

Yes – old or broken glass can be fully recycled. However, due to the hazard that broken glass presents, it is vital that you recycle any broken glass with care, and choose a dependable waste management service for the job. 

In fact, glass is 100% recyclable. This means that you can recycle and glass an endless number of times, without it losing any of its strength or quality. 

As well as new glass products, glass can be recycled into other products, such as gravel or sand. Plus, glass recycling is a fantastic way for companies and homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint, and protect the environment.

Recycling glass at home and how to check your local recycling

When recycling domestic glass at home, you can add the glass into the mixed recycling bins (usually coloured blue). 

If you have any additional questions, Buckinghamshire Council has put together an excellent recycling guide. You can also find details of your local recycling and what you can and can’t put in your bin, on gov.uk/recycling-collections.

How companies should recycle broken glass

For commercial recycling waste, companies need to choose a waste glass disposal company, which can collect and process your glass waste. 

There are many glass waste management companies out there, and it’s important that you choose one that is reputable, dependable, and matches your company ethos. 

When choosing a waste management company for your commercial glass, we suggest that you consider the following factors: 

  • Do they collect the glass from your premises? If not, do they have a disposal facility near to you? 
  • Do they recycle the glass waste? 
  • How much do they charge for their services? 
  • Are they accredited? 
  • What timeframe can they commit to?
  • Can they provide you with reviews or recommendations from existing clients?

What happens when broken glass is recycled?

According to British Glass, every tonne of recycled glass can save up to 246kg of CO2 emissions.

When the glass is re-melted and remade into a new product, it allows for new items to be made at just a fraction of the carbon emissions that creating new glass from scratch would require. As a result, recycling old and broken glass is a fantastic way to improve your businesses’ sustainability.  

At Stevenage Glass, we can take away your company’s old or broken glass, and recycle it on your behalf. We work with our partner firm, May Glass Recycling, to deliver a fast and efficient commercial glass recycling service.

 

May Glass Recycling will process the glass, and recycle it into a new product.

Below, we have outlined the new products that Recycling glass can be made into;

  • Float Glass – the recycling process will turn the cullet into new flat glass.
  • Container Glass – the recycling process will turn the cullet into new bottles and jars.
  • Bead industry – raw material can be turned into glass beads for the bead industry, for use in white lines in road markings (for example). 
  • Fibreglass – the cullet can be recycled into fibreglass insulation.
  • Utilities – old glass can be recycled into glass-based aggregates, used as sharp sand and pipe bedding.

To find out more about our glass recycling service, and the benefit that it can bring to your business, don’t hesitate to get in touch.