Maximising opportunities for recycling glass

The recycling of glass has been carried out in the UK for many years and, as recovery infrastructure has grown, so too has the rate of recycling. The variability of the chemical c omposition of glass in most recovery streams is 1ow, which makes it relatively easy to recycle. However, the glass industry has very high standards, and so ensuring good sorting and processing to obtain a material low in contaminants is an area where a great deal of effort is focused. Recycling glass makes a great deal of sense in both economic and environmental terms, even when transport costs and impacts are considered. However, in some instances, quantities of glass a rise which cannot be returned. In such circumstances, there is a need for alternative outlets. These can include use as a granular material for aggregate, filtration, and abrasion applications; use in applications in which the chemical properties of the material are exploited, such as a cement component in concrete or as a raw material for the synthesis of industrial minerals; and ceramic applications in which the relatively low melting point of glass offers benefits. Where alternatives are sought, careful consideration of the environmental impact of processing for the new application is recommended, using techniques such as environmental life-cycle analysis.