Types of Glass Collection Systems
Different glass collection systems for your business waste include Single-stream, Source-separated and Multistream. For additional details, read about the cost and demand for each type, or contact your local municipal solid commercial waste department or visit the city’s website. There are many benefits to all types of glass collections, and the best part it, you can also choose to recycle your commercial waste yourself!
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Glass Collection Systems: Source-Separated Glass
ACR+ and Eurocities are leading a study on the impact of source-separated glass collection on municipalities. The study aims to provide municipal authorities with the necessary knowledge and tools to implement source-separated glass collection and achieve a high percentage of glass packaging recycling by 2030. The study will also highlight strengthening municipal ties to encourage glass packaging collection and recycling.
The detailed agenda will be sent out one month before the meeting, and participants can register for the workshop by visiting the website. The MRFs can only process glass of a specific size, and container glass is typically thin and breakable. Consequently, 50 per cent of MRF-separated mixed glass is smaller than 10 mm. In addition, existing optical sorters can only separate glass over 10 mm in diameter, so the remainder is thrown into glass fines.
Further, plastic labels are rarely removed from the glass, meaning optical sorters cannot identify the glass. By 2023, Victoria’s recycling system will include a container deposit system (CDS), which will maximise the return of used bottles and containers. Households will have kerbside glass recycling bins. Source-separated glass from CDS will contain less contamination than MRF glass. These two initiatives will improve the overall quality of glass recycling in Victoria.
It will consider environmental quality indicators and water quality objectives for Cherry creek. The project will contribute to demonstrating GED and extend our current understanding of stormwater pollution. It will also provide vital information for the local community about the effects of glass recycling in a local community.
Glass Collection Systems: Multi-Stream Glass
Today, curbside recycling usually involves single-stream recycling systems. In these systems, paper, plastic, and metal are mixed.
- For glass, however, you must separate it. In multi-stream recycling systems, glass remains separate.
- Like bottle deposits, glass waste is collected through curbside recycling, transported to a Materials Recovery Facility, and sorted into clear, brown, and green materials.
- Afterwards, it is reprocessed. Single-stream recycling has many disadvantages.
- Single-stream recycling methods often involve contamination and breakage of glass shards. These fragments can get caught on equipment and stick to other recyclables, reducing their value. Multi-stream glass collection programs go beyond single-stream recycling.
- Keeping recyclable materials separated increases the quality of each material, which helps make it more valuable. Many cities now have commercial programs for glass recycling, and some have even begun curbside programs.
Glass Collection Systems: Benefits of Multi-Stream Recycling
It is less costly to process glass but requires more education from consumers. However, some communities still opt for single-stream recycling. The main reason is cost. The multi-stream glass collection is less expensive than single-stream recycling, but the environmental benefits outweigh the costs. A high percentage of recycled business waste ends up being recycled. There is a lower risk of contamination and fewer contaminants in multi-stream systems.
Changing to multi-stream recycling isn’t without challenges, but it’s worth it in the long run. While single-stream recycling is easier, glass can’t be recycled as easily as plastic. glass requires separating before it can be sent to the plant for processing. This isn’t feasible in many states, but it’s mandated and widely used in Europe. This means fewer problems for businesses and consumers alike.
Glass Collection Systems: Demand
The pharmaceutical industry is a key driver of the demand for processed glass in glass bottles. Consumer electronics use glass products to create display panels for electronic devices, including smartphones. Growing consumer concern over pollution is a secondary growth factor for the glass industry. Another major driver is the shift away from plastic packaging. Increasing consumer preference for environmentally friendly products has driven demand for glass.
Consequently, more companies are turning to glass for their packaging needs. Stricter environmental standards underpin the industry’s sustainability efforts. In China, a recently implemented waste glass recycling scheme saves an estimated 17,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, according to a new report. However, the process is not without its problems. Some manufacturers can tolerate ESP concentrations of five grams per ton of glass cullets.
Other environmental concerns include noise, dust, and freshwater use. The Asia-Pacific region is the most profitable region for the glass manufacturing industry. In 2020, it will account for nearly 40% of global revenue. Economies in the region boast of low-cost skilled labour, making them an attractive location for glass manufacturing.
Additionally, the demand for processed glass in glass collections is expected to increase as consumers increasingly use electronic devices. And with the growth of the Internet, consumer preferences are becoming more sophisticated, increasing the demand for glass.
The Global recycled glass market is projected to grow moderately between 2022 and 2026. Increasing awareness about recycling and improved government policies are driving growth in the market. Europe is expected to account for half of the global market by 2022. The region’s glass industry is bolstered by introducing the circular economy package by the European Union. Further, the countries are increasing their waste disposal rates, fueling the recycled glass market by 2027.
Glass Collection Systems: Cost of Single-Streamed Glass
A recent industry study has put a dollar figure on the cost of moving recycled glass downstream. The Closed Loop Foundation and associated Closed Loop Fund commissioned the study. The researchers estimate that the cost of moving glass downstream is £150 million per year, highlighting the need for industry-wide efforts. While the exact cost of single-stream glass collection remains unknown, the estimated costs will likely increase.
Fortunately, there are some cost-saving measures available to businesses and residents. In addition to the cost of hauling glass to processing plants, the materials are weighty and difficult to sort. glass also comes in many colours, making it difficult for container manufacturers to produce standard colours. glass is brittle and difficult to process without breakages. Its hard edges and sharp edges make it harder to process than other materials, and these characteristics contribute to excessive wear and tear on recycling equipment.
Hence, the cost of single-stream glass collection may be higher than other recyclable materials. The economics of glass recycling is unlikely to favour single-stream glass collection. However, some communities have implemented alternate programs. For example, in Cass County, Nebraska, residents ranked glass recycling as their top wish for a service to collect recyclable glass. Officials hope to establish a permanent glass collection facility in Sewickley, Pennsylvania.
In other communities, glass recycling is being mandated as a national program. The US glass recycling process is less efficient than European glass recycling. Because glass is so heavy, transporting it is expensive. The costs of glass waste transport can be so high that some glassmakers are discouraged from establishing a processing plant because of the high transportation cost.
Glass Collection Systems: Profit
So, how do glass manufacturers and recycling companies make a profit while still following the law?
One way to increase glass recycling is to collect more single-stream glass locally. The growth potential of the global processed glass market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.7% during the forecast period (2018-2027). The key drivers and constraints for the glass processing market growth are analysed in the report. It includes a breakdown of various types of products and applications and the industry’s strategic planning and market dynamics.
The report also presents a detailed regional outlook. In addition, the report includes the opinion of industry experts and offers a comparative market analysis. The global glass market is segmented by product, geography and application. Governments and private organisations support the trend by introducing regulations and initiating public campaigns to encourage glass recycling.
The EU glass industry produces more than 35 million tons of glass annually, accounting for approximately 22% of the world’s glass. 3.2 million tons are exported, and 4.0 million tons are imported. This rate is not enough to mitigate the negative environmental impact of glass production, let alone realise the industry’s full potential. In terms of value, processed glass collection represents the highest value for producers.
Many processed glass is used to make household and industrial products. Moreover, processed glass collection can help recycle glass. With technological developments, processed glass has become the most affordable, convenient, and durable product. And with the increasing popularity of recycled glass, the global market for processed glass will grow at a CAGR of 7.6%. Globally, glass waste is a major concern.
Most of this glass is disposed of in landfills or incinerators. The landfills contribute to climate change and global warming. Recycling glass is a more efficient and environmentally friendly way to reduce waste and make the environment cleaner. As more people become aware of the benefits of processed glass, more glass recycling plants will open up in the region. This will ultimately boost the industry’s competitiveness.
Glass Collection Systems – Learn more about UK business waste statistics here
Other useful links from our Commercial Waste Centre
The Benefits of Dry Mixed Recycling
Looking After Your Business Bins
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