Think Globally
Facts About Glass Recycling
- Glass containers are 100 percent recyclable, and recovered glass is used as the majority ingredient in new glass containers
- The national recycling rate for glass containers is just over 25 percent, according to a 2005 study by the EPA
- Americans recycle nearly 13 million glass jars and bottles every day
- The glass container industry has an annual revenue of $5.5. billion, with almost 50 manufacturing plants located throughout the United States
- The typical glass processing facility can recycle up to 20 tons of glass per hour
- Glass containers produced today are 40 percent lighter than when they were produced 20 years ago, making them much easier to recycle now
- Every ton of glass that is recycled results in a ton of raw materials saved to process new glass, including 1,300 pounds of sand, 410 pounds of soda ash and 380 pounds of limestone
- Glass containers come in four different colors: clear, blue, brown and green; glass must be separated by color to ensure that new glass is not created from a mix of colors
- Most recycling programs will only accept glass containers because products such as drinking glasses, lightbulbs, mirrors and Pyrex have been treated with contaminants when manufactured
- A 2005 study by the Beverage Packaging Environmental Council found that 18 percent of glass bottles are consumed at bars or restaurants
Source: Glass Packaging Institute