Many Americans use glass bottles and containers every day. When finishing a beer or scraping the last of the jam from the jar, keep these facts in mind and remember that recycling glass can make a big difference.
Glass is 100 Percent Recyclable
When you recycle a bottle or jar, you can feel confident that it will wind up being used to create something new. Even contaminated glass does not wind up in a landfill—it is used to create fiberglass and concrete. Glass, like aluminum, can be recycled over and over again with no loss of quality.
Only 25 Percent of Glass Containers Are Recycled
Despite the ease of recycling and the spread of pro-recycling campaigns, the majority of glass containers in the U.S. end up in the trash. While some areas of the U.S. have limited access to curbside recycling pickup or other inconveniences, many people simply throw all their unwanted items in the trash out of habit, laziness, or a lack of information.
Restaurants and Bars Are Responsible for a Portion of Glass Use
18 percent of glass containers are consumed at bars and restaurants. Make sure your favorite establishments are practicing responsible waste disposal.
One Bottle Makes a Difference
Many people assume that their personal efforts can’t change the big-picture problem. However, even a single piece of glass recycling can make a dent. The energy saved by recycling a single bottle can power a laptop computer for half an hour.
13 Million Glass Containers are Recycled Every Day in the U.S.
Millions of Americans are making green choices every day. You can help encourage the rest to recycle by making sure recycling bins are available in your home, office, and favorite hangouts.
Western Disposal offers recycling, composting, and other green waste management services to the Boulder area. If you are interested in our services, or in learning more about recycling, contact us today! Give us a call at (303) 586-1100.