Window glass is completely different than traditional glass bottles. But there are still nontraditional ways to properly recycle it.
Bottle glass is one of the most recyclable items around. By contrast, in many communities, it is nearly impossible to recycle window glass. Why the disparity?
Though the two products may seem virtually the same, there are actually some notable differences. Bottle glass has a different chemical composition and melting temperature than window glass, meaning the two products can’t be recycled together.
Manufacturers creating new bottles have invested in the equipment needed to crush bottles and remelt them. This infrastructure is vital to make recycling work. In addition, bottles are a fairly uniform and easy-to-identify product.
Window glass is a trickier proposition. Most windows come attached to metal or wooden frames and have to be disassembled, which is labor intensive and expensive. Picking out the different types of window glass poses a bit more of a challenge. Is the glass tinted or not? Is it safety glass or tempered glass? All these different subsets of window glass also cannot be combined to create a new product. As a result, the industry has said “no” to recycling old windows.
However, not all hope is lost. Creative industry professionals are finding other uses for old windows. The glass can be melted and remanufactured into Fiberglas. Ground glass can be incorporated into glassphalt, a glass and asphalt blend, or stirred into the reflective yellow and white paint used on roads. Broken glass is combined with concrete to create terrazzo flooring and countertops. Building REsources in San Francisco tumbles old glass (and ceramics) for landscape, floral and decorative applications.
Old windows can also be reused as is. Donate them to a building material reuse company, or use them to construct greenhouses or cold frames for the garden.
Window Glass Recycling: Difficult but Not Impossible - 1-800 ...
September 30th, 2011
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Rick Lucas
October 1st, 2011
Thanks for the info. I hope that some creative person comes up with a way to make rcycling window glass a viable and profitable venture. If it becomes profitable someone will make it work. Recycling is such an important issue. I wish Americans would pay more attention.
alex
October 3rd, 2011
If you recycle your stuff, then you could influence more people to follow your example by being more vocal about it. A way to let other people know about your recycling activities is to snap a picture of yourself while at work. Here’s the application for doing just that. http://youtu.be/qxQn-00Rr7s
Bill Colwell
April 18th, 2012
I live in Vancouver WA near Portland OR.Can you tell me who might take window glass in my area.
Thanks
B.C.
Si Robins
April 18th, 2012
Bill,
The Habitat for Humanity Store in Vancouver at 5000 E. Fourth Plain Blvd. accepts double-pane vinyl or newer wood windows. You can drop off Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hope that helps!
Isabel
May 1st, 2012
Were can I take my windos to sale or recicle
Si Robins
May 2nd, 2012
Isabel,
Our article, “Window Glass Recycling: Difficult but Not Impossible,” may be of assistance to you.
Thanks!
Donald Trogdon
June 27th, 2012
I’m helping a friend clean up some property that she inherited and there are 100′s of windows. Most of them a single pane and a lot of the glass is cracked or broken and just hanging by the seals. Would like to know if there is a recycling center in the Boise, ID area that takes window glass.
Si Robins
June 28th, 2012
Donald,
Contact the Second Chance Building and Materials Store at 1423 Grove St., Boise, ID 83702. Phone: (208) 331-2707. They should be able to accept your windows, but you’ll most likely have to drop them off there.
Thanks,
Si
Mandie
July 30th, 2012
I work for a furniture receiving company in Rancho Cordova, CA. When glass from a table top, or mirror, or other similar pieces gets scratched or broken, we end up with it in our warehouse. Where can we recycle large piece like this that aren’t windows and are sometimes broken or oddly shaped?
Christina behrend
August 8th, 2012
We own a glass shop in southern California 92234. We break down all the old frames and are left with many panes of glass – dual and single. Is there anywhere nearby that would pick the glass up. We also break it if tempered. Anywhere for that?
Randa
August 17th, 2012
We also own a glass shop in Southern California 92227. We have strap/waste of panes of glass or old window glass. Is there anywhere in my area that does this type of glass recycling. It seems like such a waste of a lot of glass. We have tempered glass as well.
Ben Bierman
November 7th, 2012
I would like to here from somebody or company who can use the diffrent types off glass if its sorted.
Jahmez
December 10th, 2012
Do anyone know a place in Los Angeles that takes windows. I’m a glazier and i have a garage full of old windows that I tear apart and throw in the garbave but i much rather recycle. Thanks
Carol
May 4th, 2013
We have just dismantled a McDonald’s type sunroom. The metal was taken to a recycler and now we are left with the glass. We can pay to take it to our single stream landfill but are discouraged there is no place it can be recycled. Also, we have to pay by the pound for this. Seems wrong to put it in the landfill. Maybe we should have tried to locate a place to donate it as was, to be reused for another purpose.
Diana Pahule
May 11th, 2013
We have broken commercial freezer door glass. Not reusable in the regular sense. I wonder who I could donate it to for some sort of repurposing. We are in British Columbia.