Glass is generally considered a product that can be recycled again and again. But did you know that there are some types of glass that don't belong in the waste glass container? Read on to learn what things you should never throw in glass bins.
Why can't all glasses be recycled?
Not all glass is the same and there are a few things you should pay attention to when recycling it. Some jars contain products that cannot be reused and therefore cannot be recycled. Additionally, different types of glass have different melting points, and when mixed glass is recycled, the sorting system cannot distinguish between the different types of glass.This disrupts the recycling processand also makes the recyclable waste glass unusable. For this reason, it is important to know which glassware can be placed in the waste glass container and which must be disposed of differently.
This glassware does not belong in the waste glass container
Glass bottles, flasks, and jars are fine, but the following items have no place in glass containers.
Do not throw drinking glasses into the waste glass container
Most drinking glasses have a different composition than regular glass bottles and containers, with some even being made from lead crystal. These types of glass disrupt the recycling process when they enter the glass recycling and should not be thrown away in these containers.
Vases are also taboo
Just like drinking glasses, they are often made of a different glass composition and cause production problems when remelted. So take your old, broken vases to a recycling center or throw them in the trash.
Glass cookware
Cookware such as heat-resistant bowls, microwave turntables, baking dishes and casserole dishes are made from borosilicate glass - a special type of glass that can withstand large temperature fluctuations. However, it cannot be melted properly in most regular glass furnaces and can cause serious problems in the manufacture of most types of glass products. The presence of borosilicate glass can mean that entire batches of waste glass cannot be melted down again and therefore recycled. So keep the glass cookware away from the waste glass container.
Ceramic tableware
Although it may seem obvious (they are not made of glass), ceramic items should under no circumstances be sent for glass recycling. They cannot melt properly in the melting furnaces and lead to problems with the new glass. It's also very difficult for the machines to separate them from the glass for recycling - so make sure they don't get in there in the first place.
Also read:Plant old dishes: This is how you can create a mini garden in cups, teapots, etc
Light bulbs cannot be recycled
Old light bulbs are also made of heat-resistant glass, are often coated with special substances and may contain metallic components. Therefore they are not recyclable and belong in the residual waste. The new energy-efficient fluorescent tubes and LED lights, on the other hand, can often be recycled at a local recycling center or taken to collection points for electrical devices. But not in the glass container.
Window glass does not belong in the waste glass container
Window glass is often laminated or has been treated to make it stronger - so it must be processed separately from other types of glass such as container glass when it is remelted. Window glass panes can often be recycled through separate collections at local recycling centers.
Nail polish bottles with leftover nail polish
Although bottles of perfume or other cosmetics can be recycled, nail polish bottles are not typically accepted along with bottles and jars. The glass may be the right kind, but nail polish contains chemicals that may not be compatible with recycling facilities. If you clean the bottle thoroughly with nail polish remover, you can usually recycle the glass part of the bottle (excluding the lid and brush).
Mirrors do not belong in the container for used glass
The metallic coating on mirrors can cause contamination when mixed with other types of glass. However, many recycling centers have a special collection point for mirrors so that they can be properly processed separately.
Do not recycle glasses
Do not recycle old glasses along with bottles and glasses. They are not the same type of glass and have metal parts that are difficult to remove. Simply throw them in the trash.
And what about broken glass?
The same rules apply to broken glass as to glass. If a drinking glass or mirror is accidentally broken, the shards should not be placed in the used glass container, but rather should be disposed of in the trash. You can put broken jam jars or wine bottles in the glass recycling, but be careful not to hurt yourself.
Which glass can be recycled?
However, in every household there is a lot of glassware that is recyclable and belongs in the waste glass container. This includes, among other things, container glass that is used to package food or cosmetics. The most famous of these are:
- Bottles of any color, e.g. B. of water, wine, beer, spirits
- glasses, e.g. B. sauces, jam, baby food
- Non-food bottles or flacons, e.g. E.g. perfume, aftershave, face creams
A notice:When recycling glass, pay attention to color sorting. This saves energy and resources in the recycling process. For glasses that are neither white, brown nor green, always choose the green glass container.
Also interesting:This means you can reuse glass that doesn't fit in the waste glass container in the garden!
