Glass can be recycled again and again, whatever its colour, and turned into new glass products. Households can take most used glass bottles and jars to a nearby glass bottle bank for recycling. Businesses produce higher volumes of glass waste and need commercial glass recycling to dispose of such items in an environmentally friendly way.
At Divert we can collect any type of glass waste from your company and transport it to a local recycling centre for responsible disposal. Our licensed waste carriers ensure your old glass bottles, jars, vases, and other waste are removed and recycled safely and legally in line with all relevant regulations.
Glass Waste
Collection
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What is glass waste?
Glass waste simply refers to any glass products that have served their original purpose and need disposing of safely. There are different kinds of glass waste, such as drinks bottles, food containers and jars, alongside glass used to store cosmetic products like perfume. In the UK alone, we produce large volumes of glass waste every day.
Glass is considered one of the easiest products to recycle and repurpose into something new. There are many benefits associated with recycling glass produced within the running of your business or at home. For example, it can help reduce the amount of money you spend on waste disposal (avoiding landfill tax) as a business.
Furthermore, recycling glass products instead of creating new products entirely is a great way to reduce our energy consumption and protect the planet.
How glass waste collection
and recycling works
First, get a free quote for glass waste collection. Tell us where our business is, how much waste glass you produce, and how often you want it collected (daily, weekly, fortnightly, or a one-off). We’ll let you know if we can collect your glass for recycling and provide a no-obligation quote.
When you proceed, then we’ll deliver free bins of the agreed size and number to store your used glass safely. Simply fill each bin with your glass waste within any weight limits and place it in the agreed accessible pickup point ahead of collection. One of our trucks will remove your full glass bins and provide you with new ones.
Then our licensed waste carriers transport your glass waste to a nearby recycling centre. The general process for recycling glass is:
- The glass waste is sorted by colour and any non-glass items removed.
- It’s then washed to remove any contaminants.
- This clean glass is crushed to create cullet.
- Raw materials may be added to colour the new glass or enhance its properties.
- Then it’s heated in a furnace at temperatures of around 1000°C so the cullet melts.
- Finally, it’s moulded or blown into new glass bottles, jars, and other products.
Glass recycling bins
You can use one glass recycling bin to mix different colours and types of glass products or have a separate glass bin for just bottle recycling or items of a specific colour. Using an individual glass recycling bin is essential to avoid contamination with other waste types and to keep the waste secure before collection.
Who needs commercial glass
recycling collections?
A wide range of businesses across the UK produce glass waste that should be collected and recycled. Some of the main businesses that benefit from commercial glass recycling collection are:
- Hospitality venues – Bars, pubs, restaurants, and hotels produce large volumes of glass waste every day, usually in the form of drinkware, empty bottles, and food storage containers.
- Retailers – A wide range of retailers, particularly supermarkets, also produce large volumes of glass waste in the daily running of their business. Retailers are required to dispose of all expired or unsold products after a specific time frame, many of which are stored in glass containers. Food and drink packaging facilities also produce large volumes of glass waste.
- Construction companies – Both residential and commercial construction companies also produce large volumes of glass waste. For example, this could include products such as mirrors, window frames, and lightbulbs.
- Laboratories – Laboratories, or companies that produce products used within a lab setting, generate high volumes of glass waste. This is typically in the form of vials, containers, and jars. As these products could have been exposed to dangerous chemicals or substances, they must be treated with particular care and discretion.
- Opticians – Opticians also produce large volumes of glass waste, often during the production of new lenses. However, a lot of the equipment used within these facilities also use a lot of glass products.
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Glass recycling facts
According to a recent report from Recycle Now, hospitality venues in the UK send more than 129,000 tonnes of glass to landfill sites every year. This figure is surprising as most glass products are 100% recyclable. UK households currently recycle around 71% of container glass, like bottles and jars.
Over 28 billion glass bottles and jars are sent to landfills each year globally. Glass products don’t decompose naturally. Studies suggest it could take over one million years for a small glass bottle to break down within a landfill site. During this time, they contribute heavily to the overcrowding of landfills and the production of greenhouse gases.
Recycling one tonne of glass saves:
- 1.2 tonnes of raw materials
- 580kg CO2
- Reduces air pollution by 20%
- Cuts water pollution by 50%
How to reduce glass waste
There are various ways we can start reducing how much glass waste we produce in the UK. For example, businesses should:
- Reuse products where possible. Instead of throwing away glass jars after use, clean them and use them to store other products. Furthermore, hospitality venues can donate old kitchenware and glasses to charities instead of replacing them outright.
- Handle products with care. We often dispose of glass products when they’re damaged, meaning they could have a much longer life if handled with the appropriate care and consideration.
- Put together a recycling scheme. Incorporating a recycling scheme into your waste management plan helps reduce the amount of glass waste you produce. For example, providing your employees with easy access to the appropriate recycling containers can reduce the amount of glass waste disposed of incorrectly. In-house recycling schemes also encourage employees to be more eco-conscious and wary of creating too much waste.
Why use Divert for
commercial glass recycling?
At Divert, we can collect and recycle your commercial glass waste to cut your costs for glass waste disposal by reducing how much landfill tax you pay. Our licensed waste carriers ensure your glass bottles, jars, and other waste are removed and disposed of safely and legally, benefitting the environment and your business.
As part of our commercial glass recycling service, we will:
- Provide you with access to free glass recycling bins – there are no hidden fees or delivery costs, only pay for collection.
- Put together a flexible waste collection schedule tailored to your company and how much glass waste you produce. Depending on your needs, we can arrange glass waste collection every day, week, or fortnight.
- Ensure all glass waste is recycled. We divert your glass waste away from landfill sites and send it to recycling facilities.
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Free bins -
All glass recycled -
Reliable collections -
Fixed prices -
Landfill diversion
Book glass waste collection
Get a free quote for glass waste collection today – call 0333 444 0118 or contact us online. Provide a few details about the amount of glass waste you produce, how often you want it collected, and where you’re based for a tailored no obligation quote. One of our friendly team can answer any questions you have about glass recycling.
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Glass recycling FAQs
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Where can you collect glass waste?
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Can you put glass in the recycling bin?
Glass should not be put in your recycling bin at home or thrown away with general waste. As glass is 100% recyclable it should be put in a specific glass recycling bin at work. Households can take old glass bottles and jars to a nearby bottle bank or household waste recycling centre for recycling.
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Is there a bottle bank near me?
Most cities, towns, and villages across the UK have at least one bottle bank. These are often located in supermarket and council car parks, as well as at your nearest household waste recycling centre. Use the Recycle Now locator to find a bottle bank near you.
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How should glass waste be stored?
If broken, shattered or damaged, glass waste could present a threat to those who come into contact with it. As a result, glass products must be stored in specialist containers made from tough, durable materials. This ensures they can’t be easily pierced or damaged. At Divert, we’d recommend that you use a 240 litre wheelie bin.
However, certain products, such as bulbs or laboratory glass waste, may require specialist containers. When this is the case, we’ll provide you with a range of storage solutions that meet your needs. If you accidentally smash or damage any glass products, place them in a bag before putting them in the container itself to enhance your safety measures.
