Recycling Glass From Cars

What do you do if the windshield of your car is damaged? There is no other option but to replace it. But did you know the broken windshield can be recycled? Yes! It is possible to recycle windshield of cars and create numerous useful products from it.

Wondering what products? If you look around, you will realize that you are surrounded by different types of glass products. Although it is fragile, products made of glass add a touch of class. In fact, glass is replacing wood in many applications.

Why recycle windshields?

A shattered windshield is of no use to the car owner. Besides, if it is just abandoned, it will occupy the precious landfill. Our planet cannot afford that. Recycled glass serves as raw material for manufacturing a variety of glass products. The recycling process also reduces the quantity of carbon-dioxide released into the atmosphere thereby reducing the carbon footprint.

How are windshields recycled?

Earlier recycling the glass from windshields was difficult. This is because windshields consist of two layers of glass with PVC membrane between each layer. But the advancement of technology has created machines that can successfully recycle glass from windshields through a crushing process.

The machine for recycling glass is seventy inches long and fifty inches wide. The windshield is manually rolled into the machine. In the machine, the PVC is broken into chunks enabling easy separation. The glass comes out of the machine as a homogenous product. Its thickness is less than a quarter of an inch.

Applications of recycled glass:

1. Glasses and bowls:

It can be used to make a variety of glasses, bowls, vases, pitchers, etc. Since they are made from recycled glass, these products are not very expensive.

2. Dividers and doors:

It can be used for making dividers and glass doors. These can be fabricated for different sizes to suit your requirements.

3. Tiles:

Recycled glass is used extensively in fabricating floor tiles.

4. Windshields:

It can be used to make new windshields. If you ever require a windshield for your car, you can consider a recycled windshield. This is because it will work out to be an economical option for you instead of purchasing a new one.

These are some of the applications of recycled windshield glass. However, there is a myriad of applications where this glass is used. Glass can be colored to match the décor and create customized products as well.