How much raw material is saved due to glass recycling?
1.2 tonnes of raw material (sand, limestone, soda ash) is saved when one tonne of glass is recycled. Is it true that glass biodegrades or decomposes? NO!!! It is absolutely amazing how many people get this wrong! Biodegradation and decomposition are biological processes. Glass is abiotic. It will not compost! Abiotic means that glass is not a “living being” whereas “biotic” refers to plants and animals. Glass does eventually break-down, but it takes about 1 million years for a single glass bottle to break down. Glass is only broken down by weathering and physical crushing or pounding. Do labels and lids need to be removed before glass is recycled? CWM Environmental do not require the removal of labels or lids. We collect your mixed glass containers and forward them on for reprocessing. The recycling processing equipment is sophisticated and labels and lids come off when the container glass is readied for the furnace. Why is it important to clean glass before it gets recycled? Food or j
