When you recycle glass at a bottle bank, it always says "no broken glass". Why?

Question

The glass usually breaks when you throw it in anyway, especially with the larger banks. I don't know much about glass recycling, but surely the bottles aren't kept in their original form?!

Answer 1

I think it's so you can't sue them for cutting your hands whilst recycling.

You are correct, the bottles and jars almost always smash and are not handled with kid gloves once you walk away, so that's all it can be really.

Why do some people wash all the glass before they dump it anyway? Do they think there are sorters that reject a jar because it has traces of strawberry jam in it?????

Answer 2

Recycling glass is a simple but hugely beneficial process.
Below are twelve steps to recycling this complex material. The images also demonstrate the complete recycling loop as glass can be recycled over and over again.

1.raw materials
2.glass container making
3.transportation to retailers
4.use at home
5.dumping glass
6.glass collection
7.commercial collection
8.removing contaminants
9.container making
10.alternative uses
11.exporting glass
12.closing the loop

More information for each step:
http://www.recycle-more.co.uk/nav/page638.aspx

Funny site show the process in cartoons;
http://www.recyclingglass.co.uk/section01/1d.htm#1

Answer 3

Does it always say that? I tend to collect old wine and beer bottles, sometimes from recycling bins. I do use them in their original form after cleaning them thoroughly. It is true that broken glass could remain in the bottle, if any ever got in. More than one good clean ensures that no broken glass shreds remain. It is a bit risky though, and is definately not a mass production technique.

Answer 4

its got to be a legal reason so you cant make a claim against them if you injure yourself at the bottle bank, the glass in the bank smashes anyway.

also some people are lazy beggars and just leave their recyclin next to the bottle bank, if they left a box of broken glass around it would be a health hazrd to drunkards with a social consience who might fall into the danger box whils attemtin to throw their empty half bottle or 2 litre lambrini bottle into the hole

Answer 5

The notice refers to panes of glass , from windows or such , it's a different glass to bottles and large shards of glass are pretty dangerous for the handlers .

Answer 6

To reduce the risk of the person who putts the glass in form getting cut.

Answer 7

So that the people processing the glass don't get cut, they still have to be gone through some still have junk in them.

Answer 8

are you sure thay are talking about broken bottel glass, because i know there is a difference in pacage glass and window glass and its very bad when thay get mixed since thay have different properties

Answer 9

Easier to sort large whole pieces, than sieving through trying to sort out all the tiny broken bits

Answer 10

I think it's because the person who handles the garbage bag may cut his hands.