Profiles in garbage glass containers

Journal Article · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Waste Age

OSTI ID:524730

Miller, C ^[1]

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1. Environmental Industry Associations, Washington, DC (United States)

Glass containers are made from sand, limestone, soda ash, cullet (crushed bottles), and various additives, including those used to color brown, green, or blue bottles. Sixty percent of the glass used in the US is clear (flint) and one-fourth is brown (amber). Almost half of the green bottles are imported wind and beer bottles. Other glass products include flat glass such as windows; fiberglass insulation; and glassware. These products use different manufacturing processes and different additives than container glass. This profile covers only container glass. Glass bottles are commonly collected in curb-side programs. Losses due to breakage and the abrasiveness of glass during collection and processing offset their low collection and processing costs. Breakage solutions include installation of interior baffles or nets in the collection trucks, special glass-only truck compartments, and limiting the number of times glass is transferred after collection before final processing. Ten states require deposits on glass bottles for beer and soft drinks and related items.

• OSTI ID: 524730
• Journal Information: Waste Age, Journal Name: Waste Age Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 28; ISSN WAGEAE; ISSN 0043-1001
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
GLASS
MUNICIPAL WASTES
RECYCLING
SOLID WASTES
WASTE MANAGEMENT