Glass Recycling

Glass is yet another resource. Most offices will produce glass waste and can incorporate recycling this resource into a current scheme whilst reducing the potential hazards associated with glass in general waste.

The Advantages

Allows you to recycle all glass without separation. We also encourage customers to investigate clear glass procurement which uses less raw materials. Recycling just one glass bottle saves enough energy to light a 60 watt bulb for 6 hours. We recycle over 750,000 bottles per year saving enough energy to light all of London's streets for a staggering 12 hours.

The System

Unlike many other systems, no effort is required to separate the glass. Simply place all glass into the bins. We will collect them on a fixed schedule or on an ad-hoc basis. For health and safety reasons, glass is stored in 240 litre bins with hole apetures and brush protectors on the lid. We are also investigating smaller bins options for this material. Please call us for more information. The bins are exchanged rather than emptied - again for the safety of you, our staff and the site/office surrounds where it is collected.

Clear Thinking

It's worth remembering the next time your office orders bottled water for the boardoom or canteen that clear glass uses less natural resources than coloured glass. So talk to your procurement officer and find out if they can investigate this as an option.

What happens to glass once it's collected?

Clear, brown, green and other coloured glass is taken away for reprocessing. Larger visible contaminants are removed and then the 'cullet' is crushed and goes through further contaminant removal processes. It can now be mixed with raw materials and melted in a furnace. It may end up as sand for golf bunkers, glassphalt for road surfacing or made into a glass container once again with no degredation of quality.

If recycled glass is used to make new bottles and jars for example, the energy needed in the furnace is greatly reduced. After accounting for the transport and processing needed, 315kg of C02 is saved per tonne of glass melted.