Did you know that glass can be recycled many times? Recycling one glass bottle saves the same energy as burning one 100-watt light bulb for nearly an hour! It would also power a TV for 20 minutes or a computer for 25 minutes. Recycling glass also saves water and natural resources and reduces waste landfill.
An amazing fact about using cullet (recycled glass) is that there are no fusion losses in the melting process. In other words one ton of cullet will generate the ability to remake one ton of bottles. In contrast it takes approximately 1.2 tons virgin batch material to manufacture 1 ton of glass.
The recovery and recycling of used glass containers has always been of critical importance to Consol Glass. Over the past years Consol has invested a great deal of finance and staffing in ensuring that glass recycling moves forward from strength to strength. As part of its social responsibility and community development programmes Consol is committed to ensuring that recycling of glass continues to benefit both the environment and entrepreneurs throughout Southern Africa.
What is Recyclable Glass?
In essence all glass bottles and jars are recyclable through the glass packaging furnaces. Plate/Flat glass is recyclable through other companies. Materials that are not recyclable through Consol are:
- Ceramic cups, plates and pottery
- Clay garden pots
- Laboratory glass
- Crystal and opaque drinking glasses
- Mirrors, windshields and window glass
- Heat-resistant ovenware (for example, Pyrex or Visionware)
- Light bulbs
Why Recycle Glass?
| Conserves our irreplaceable natural resources |
Although the ingredients of glass are plentiful they cannot be replaced. Cullet allows the glass manufacturers to supplement these raw materials at rates varying between 25 - 70 %. Glass is 100% recyclable. |
| Saves energy through lower melting temperatures |
Reduction in energy costs as cullet melts at a lower temperature. The factories therefore require less resources to melt the same quantities of glass. |
| Conserves landfill space |
Glass is estimated to comprise 4.5% of the waste stream. Recycling this valuable product allows for the better management of landfill sites, which in turn will benefit the lifespan of the site. |
| Reduces litter |
Entrepreneurs collect glass containers off the street that have been improperly disposed of by the user. |
| Has educational value |
Our children will grow up valuing the importance of recycling - caring for their environment and fellow human kind. |
| Is linked to job creation and income generation |
Unemployed persons are able to provide an informal income by way of collecting and selling the glass to the processor. No capital outlay or formal qualifications are necessary to collect this glass. |
| Generates funding for charities, schools, and welfare organizations |
These organizations are remunerated for glass collected from their depots. This funding is often utilised to purchase much needed equipment. |
Before recycled glass is melted, the following contamination is removed through processing:
- Ceramic and wire caps for beer bottles
- Lead collars from wine and champagne bottles
- Stones and dirt
- Metal caps, lids and neck rings
The Glass Recycling Process
Unlike other materials in out waste stream, glass is infinitely recyclable. As the Consol corporate advert states "Glass is 100% recyclable, It adds nothing, and leaves nothing". The recycling process does not affect the integrity of the new product. Once collected, the waste glass is separated into colours, cleaned and crushed into what is known as cullet. The cullet is mixed with silica sand, soda ash and limestone. This mixture is melted in a furnace into a molten state, poured into moulds and slowly cooled.
Collections
Glass is collected throughout Southern Africa and bought by the Glass Packaging Industry. For further information on your local collector/agent please contact "The Glass Recycling Company" on (011) 803-0767. Collections are performed through appointed agents. As part of an awareness initiative stakeholders in glass recycling have invested in 1,200 bottle banks in urban towns throughout South Africa to assist in domestic recoveries.
Consol's Involvement
Consol Glass has many planned activities to aid in increasing the volumes of recycled glass. Some of these are highlighted below:
- The Glass Recycling Company
Consol is a active member on the board of The Glass Recycling Company which was established through a partnership between national government, glass manufacturers, fillers and recyclers. This national organization, which is endorsed by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, is responsible for facilitating the recovery of waste glass for recycling. To this end, the company educates communities about the importance of protecting the environment through recycling, and provides infrastructure, such as glass banks, where people can take waste glass to be sent for recycling.
- Township Growth
There are currently 40 formal glass collecting agents in Gauteng townships collecting no less than 500 tons per month. Through further investment and links with government department Consol intends on providing more entrepreneurial opportunities in growing this market to even greater heights. Expansion into the Western Cape and Greater Durban areas are to be initiated.
- Kerbside Collections
Consol will be analysing the possibility of performing domestic kerbside collections. With the possibility of government legislation being imposed onto glass, separation at source may be implemented to assist.
Statistical Performance
Currently the Glass Packaging Industry, Consol Glass and Nampak Glass, produces glass estimated in the region of one million tons per annum. Of this less than 25% of the glass containers produced in South Africa is recovered and recycled. The statistical graph shows the historical trend over the past 16 years.
