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It’s hard to get cullet that is totally separated by color, a must for making new glass
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When oil’s cheap it can cost less to make glass from raw materials than from cullet
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Since glass is so heavy, it costs a lot to transport and ship
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All of the above
Unfortunately, when demand is low and the cost to recycle remains the same, haulers that accept glass are at risk of losing money.
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Broken glass is harder to separate, so different colors of glass might mix together
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It can damage machinery, wasting money spent on repairs and labor
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Glass can break during separation and ruin other recyclables like plastic, paper and metal
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All of the above
Greasy or wet glass jars also contaminate recycling. Unfortunately, glass contamination affects all recyclables and machinery.
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Reuse glass bottles and jars as much as possible instead of recycling them
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Purchase goods made with recycled materials to support the market
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Make sure all glass is free of food waste and liquids and completely dry before recycling
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All of the above
If your city can’t accept glass, look for a local drop off center instead, to keep it out of landfills.
RUNNING UP THE TAB
Why can it be difficult for communities to make money by recycling glass? Check out this short quiz to find out what line items end up increasing the size of the bill.
