How To

How to Recycle Glass

By eHow Health Editor

Rate: (114 Ratings)

Each day nearly 13 million glass jars and bottles are recycled in America, but not all types of glass can be recycled. Most soda bottles, food containers, beer, wine, and liquor bottles, and juice containers can be recycled - either through curbside recycling programs or community drop-off centers.

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Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Recycle Bins

Step 1

Check with the county you live in by calling the department of public works to determine what type of glass to recycle and where.
Step 2

Call 1-800-CLEANUP for state recycling information.
Step 3

Rinse and recycle bottle glass of any color, including green, clear and amber through your curbside program if you have one. Most communities do not vary in the type of bottle glass they recycle unless it is a mixed color.
Step 4

Throw out anything ceramic, as it will contaminate the glass as it is being recycled.
Step 5

Discard mixed color and broken glass - it is hard to sort and can't be recycled. Also leave out mirrors, windows, Pyrex, light bulbs and glass tableware.
Step 6

Find out about your state's bottle-deposit laws to see if you can return beverage bottles for cash.

Tips & Warnings

The rule of thumb in most communities is to put any color of bottle glass together in the recycling bin. Sometimes glass is even thrown in with tin, aluminum and foil.
Be sure to leave off the aluminum lids of glass bottles when recycling.

Who Can Help:

Comments

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 I teach continuing education craft classes - I'm developing craft ideas to teach and make the public more aware that trash isn't to be thrown away, but recycled.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Many communities are now accepting all types of glass and ceramics. They pulverize the mixed glass back into a user-friendly glass "sand" and glass "gravel product that can be used in theri own communities. See www.recycle.net/andela for ideas.