If you drop a glass at home, your natural instinct is likely to sweep it up and put broken glass in the bin. The same will apply for in the workplace too. But, did you know that not all types of broken glass can go into the bin?
In this blog, we’re going to look at the rules for disposing of broken glass and why you should think twice before putting it in a general waste bin.
Learn more about safe glass disposal, glass recycling, and why you should take care when putting broken glass in the bin.
Why Broken Glass is Disposed of Differently
It’s easy to think that glass is glass and all of it should be disposed of the same way. But, this is far from the truth.
The problem is, much of the glass you might break in your house can end up causing a hazard to bin workers. And, not all of it is recyclable, so if you’ve been using your glass recycle bin for broken glass, it’s time to be more diligent.
Since glass melts at varying temperatures, there are different recycling procedures for each. For example, ovenware is recycled in its own way and so are mirrors. There are many types of glass products, that can pose complications for mixed glass recycling facilities.
If you can avoid putting broken glass in the bin, and instead bring it to the correct recycling site, you’ll be helping in many ways.
Does the Council Allow You to Put Broken Glass in the Bin?
Yes, the council does allow most types of broken glass to be disposed of in your general waste bin.
It’s important to ensure that you dispose of broken glass in a safe way though. For example, you shouldn’t throw loose broken glass into your bin, this can cause danger to workers emptying household and business bins.
How to Safely Dispose of Broken Glass
Glass that is broken should be wrapped up in multiple layers of newspaper or cardboard. You should also take care to use tape to keep the wrapping in place before you put broken glass in the bin.
If you can, labelling the glass is also a good idea. This will help to keep workers safe
as they know what to expect when handling your waste.
If you have a recycling facility in your area that specialises in glass recycling, the best option is to collect the glass and take it there. This will provide complete piece of mind that your broken glass is being handled and recycled properly.
Glass That Isn’t Recyclable
As mentioned, not all broken glass can be recycled. There are some types of glass that you can’t throw away into your household or commercial bins. They include:
- Light bulbs, which require their own disposal processes
- Ceramic objects such as mugs, plates, and bowls
- Old window panes
- Mirrors
- Pyrex and other types of toughened glass
How to Dispose of Broken Glass Bottles
You may be wondering if the same rules for glass disposal apply to broken glass bottles. Allow us to explain what to do!
In most cases, you should just follow the same instructions for bottles as above. So long as you wrap up the broken bottle responsibly and secure the protective wrap, all should be fine.
If you have a nearby recycling centre within driving distance, again, take your broken glass bottles there. They will most likely accept them, as long as the glass is one type.
When in doubt, always contact your local council who can advise on the best options.
Why It’s Important to Recycle Glass
At Waste Direct, we always emphasise the benefits of recycling all types of waste where you can. From cardboard to glass, recycling these materials is far easier than you may think.
In the UK, your household recycling bins are used for paper, cardboard, glass, cans, and plastic. Glass is a very important material to recycle, since it can be endlessly recycled.
By recycling glass, you can help to reduce the use of non-renewable fossil fuels and raw material production. Each tonne of recycled glass helps to eliminate the use of 1.2 tonnes of raw materials, which is great for the environment!
When you opt to recycle your broken glass, you are helping to reduce air pollution and water pollution too.
Recycle Your Broken Glass With Waste Direct
Waste Direct handles all types of waste recycling, including broken glass. Whether you run a busy cafe or have excess broken glass due to a home renovation, our expert waste handlers are here to help. Contact us today to get a no-obligation, free quote and find out more about our waste recycling services for glass in your local area.
