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Glass Recycling Process: All you need to know
- Sushant Bhatia
- Jul 3
- 3 min read
Glass is a solid, chemically stable, and transparent material that is commonly used for packaging, construction, consumer products, and in the automobile industry. Currently, the total production of glass at the global level is 130 million tons per year, and the most common type of glass used widely is Soda Lime, with a total 90% usability. But here the main concern with the use of glass is its rate of recyclability & its gloomy environmental impact.
Glass is the only material that is 100% recyclable in nature, but still, the recycling efforts encounter limitations such as restricted markets for recycled glass, lack of public awareness, and technical issues in glass separation. It is important to implement the proper glass recycling process so that it can be used for thousands of years as a versatile material with endless applications that fulfill the main agenda of environmental feasibility & sustainability. Thankfully, unlike other common materials, clean, clear glass can be recycled endlessly with no loss in quality, making it a seemingly great option for products in a 21st-century circular economy.
One of the leading organizations that plays a vital role in the successful and eco-friendly management of Glass waste is Ye Prayas. Certified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the company is always committed to making Earth a green and waste-free planet. Ye Prayas aims to explore and tap into the untouched opportunities in managing and recycling waste at its end-of-life.
Collection
Glass waste is accumulated from different sources and recycled through different tools and techniques. The main collection centers are:
Multi-stream and Single-stream recycling bins
Community drop-off points
Residential and Commercial properties
Municipal recycling points
Transportation
After collection, the next step is ‘Transportation’. The glass is then transported to specialized glass recycling centers.
Sorting
Glass is available in a variety of forms, and under sorting, it is segregated on the basis of color, variety, or usability. The contaminants, like metals and plastics, are also removed during the process of sorting, and segregation on the basis of color increases its recycling efficiency.
Cullet Production
After sorting, the glass waste is smashed into tiny particles as small as sand or can be as large as a pebble, known as ‘Cullets’. Cullets can be formed in different sizes depending on the requirements.
Decontamination or Screening
Removal of contaminants to improve the quality of glass. Decontamination is an essential step to removing all structural defects. Screens can also filter off different bacteria and fine particles that are hazardous to our environment. Different contaminants can be processed in the following manner:
Metallic contaminants pass through a magnet.
Paper and plastic contaminants are picked up manually or through an automated process.
Ceramic contaminants are removed via sieving, where finely ground glass cullet is made to pass through various screens.
Bed Drier Fluidization
For the final purification, the broken glass pieces are assembled, and hot air at 190°F) passed through them, which burns off sugar and bacteria as well as loosens the remaining glue.
Making recycled glass products
Recycled glass products are created by first melting down glass cullet—whether clear or colored—and then shaping the molten glass into desired items like bottles, jars, and containers using molds.
Conclusion
Glass is a fully recyclable material that, when managed properly, can significantly reduce environmental impact. However, its effective recycling depends on structured processes, public awareness, and strong infrastructure.
Organizations like Ye Prayas, certified by the CPCB, are playing a key role in driving efficient and sustainable glass waste management. With the right practices in place, glass can continue to serve as a long-lasting, eco-friendly resource on our journey toward a greener future. Thank you for reading our blog post. We hope you found it valuable and informative.
If you have any questions related to end-to-end waste management, would like to learn more about our services, or just want to connect, feel free to reach out. We are always open to discussions and collaboration.
Visit our website: www.yeprayas.com | Email - info@yeprayas.com
Toll-free: 1800-572-2929 | Ye Prayas Private Limited
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