Glass was first created around 1870. 3500 BCEgypt and Eastern Mesopotamia. Over the next several thousand year, glass-makers perfected their craft. You can find glass products almost anywhere. They are very affordable and come in a variety of designs.
Glass is generally good for the earth, but it’s not perfect. Here’s everything you need about your favorite wine glasses and windows that look out onto your cityscape or garden.
Naturally Made, Easily Recycelled
Source: How to Make Everything/Youtube
Glass is made from natural materials such as limestone, soda ash, and sand. These materials are easily available, which reduces glass’s carbon footprint. Plastic is made from nonrenewable fossil fuels. Glass is therefore significantly more eco-friendly.
Sometimes, material can only cause environmental damage once it has broken down and released gases into the atmosphere. Sand that is separating from its surrounding soil can be disintegrated. Stable and safeIt is available in all forms making it a great Cradle-to-Cradle material.
Cradle to Cradle certifications can be obtained Safe, circular, and responsibly-made productsThe Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification is the best of all.
According to the EPAAround a third of all the glass produced in the United States each year is recycled. The United States has done an amazing job increasing its recycling rate. However, approximately 7.5 million tons of glass end up in landfills each year.
Glass is easy to recycle, which is a good thing. A single glass bottle can be recycled to save enough energy to power a 100-watt bulb for four hours.
Source: FuseSchool – Global Education/Youtube
The Not So Good
Unfortunately, glass isnt perfect– its certainly a better option than plastic.
Glass takes at most ten years to decompose if it is left to decay in a landfill. 4,000 yearsTo break down. Glass manufacturing is eco-friendly, but letting it rot for many millennia can be. This shows how important it is to recycle glass products. You risk losing the potential benefits of glass.
Modern melting techniques can melt glass, which is made of melted limestone, soda ash, and sand. Environmental harm. The melting process releases carbon into the atmosphere, which contributes to the glass’ carbon footprint. However, this is not the only greenhouse gas produced during production. Acidification can also be caused by sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides in the fuel and batch materials. Finally, glass particles are released into the atmosphere when molten and other raw materials evaporate.
Glass or plastic?
The debate about whether glass is better for you than plastic is still ongoing. Some argue that glass is superior to plastic because it is stronger. Fossil fuelsIt can melt natural materials and it is just as destructive as plastic. Others argue that glass is much more recyclable and can be turned into a new product if it is thrown in a recycling bin. Not all plastic is recyclable.
Glass products last longer and can be reused and recycled repeatedly. The United States still has a lot to do when it comes recycling glass, but they are getting there. This is better than what can be said about plastic products.
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