Current Trends in Glass Recycling.ppt

Current Trends in Glass Recycling  Americans generated 12.5 million tons of glass in the municipal solid waste (MSW) stream in 2003. About 22 percent of the 10.9 million tons of container glass was recovered for recycling. Recovery increased from 750,000 tons in 1980 to more than 2.4 million tons in 2001. Soft drink, beer, food, wine, and liquor containers represent the largest source of glass generated and recovered for recycling. Glass Recycling is Declining In 2000, the U.S. EPA estimated that the the beverage glass recycling rate was 25%. There’s an increasing trend in landfilling glass, either by throwing it away or using it as daily cover. Washington State Glass Recycling 1986 - 2003 Why the decline? Increased away-from-home consumption Stagnant scrap prices Decreased emphasis on recycling by government and the media Increase in use of PETE as a beverage container Glass Collection Issues Commodity Prices Post Consumer Glass is $6.00/ton Cardboard is $45.00/ton Newspaper is $34.00/ton Baled aluminum cans is $0.65/lb. Types of Glass Recycling Closed Loop Glass to Glass Open Loop – Glass to aggregate End Uses of Pulverized Glass Roadbed material Filter sand for septic systems/pools Playground sand Sidewalk/driveway additive Backfill Drainage medium Landscape material Paint additive Hybridized cement Aggregate in stucco finishes Flux in ceramic tiles Sand blasting material Glass products such as fiberglass, marbles , and glass beads Lawn ornaments, stepping stones, and retaining wall blocks - Glass Recycling In Montana, Montana Public Interest Research Group, May 2004 Benefits of Using Glass Locally Replaces resources which require excavation Reduces energy demand from extracting and transporting raw material for construction projects Reduces air and water pollution associated with excavating raw materials Conserves energy used in transporting glass to market Reduces glass waste entering the landfill Costs of Using Glass Locally Wha