Window glass unwelcome in recycling

Window glass has made an unwelcome appearance at the Martin Place Recycling Depot, in Havelock North.

A large amount of window glass has been dumped in the recycling bin during the past week. Window glass has a different chemical composition and melting temperature than glass bottles and the two products can’t be recycled together. If you melt glass from windows and bottles together you end up with worthless, lumpy glass.

Waste Minimisation Officer Dominic Salmon says “Glass bottles are designed as sustainable packaging made from just three natural ingredients – sand, soda ash and limestone – mixed with recycled glass. Once a glass container is created, it remains 100% recyclable for life which is great news, as Hastings actively recycles a whopping 2562 tonnes of bottles and jars each year (approx. 2.5 million wine bottles and 8 million beer bottles).”

Dominic Salmon says “All Hastings recycling depots accept glass bottles and jars. Other glass products should be placed in your rubbish (once safely wrapped) including:

• Window glass and mirrors

• Light bulbs

• Glass kitchenware

• Crockery – cups and plates

• Vases

• Drinking glasses

Bottles collected in Hawke’s Bay are sent to the O-I Ltd glass recycling plant in Auckland.

“Bottles that are destined for the recycling plant in Auckland have to meet strict quality control requirements. Should bottles from our recycling depots be contaminated with other types of glass, the whole load could be diverted to the landfill which would be a huge waste of time and effort,” Dominic Salmon says.

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