How transition would benefit the recycling of glass?
Hey everyone, i was wondering if you could help me?
My name is allie and i'm a degree student at plymouth college of art. I am studying the sustainability of glass and how it gets recycled.
i have already found out that our local council sends it's glass collections to Southampton to be recycled and would like to know how the localisation of such processes as these would benefit us in the future?
I am new to thr concept of 'transition' so only know the bare minimum and was really hoping someone out there could help me?
If anyone could, please get back to me??? I need help asap!
Thanks guys,
Allie Richardson
well thanks for the help guys, were told u were a very helpful bunch of ppl.
Re: recycling of glass
Glass should be recycled into concrete (mortar extender) locally using a small grinder such as a kinetic mixer. (Perfect Blend in Washington State, USA uses a large size mixer but could build a small 10 horsepower mixer that would quickly turn glass into tiny particles that can replace at least half of mortar to locally make cement). If every community had a kinetic pulverizer, the glass would be recycled into concrete material and other materials. If the glass particles are small enough, they actually can act as mortar, thus replacing half of the mortar used to make cement. Also, larger glass particles can replace sand used in cement, since sand is virtually the same as glass and has many uses. Thus, locally pulverized glass could make cement by mixing a small (half of usual) amount of mortar as well as replacing the sand. This could become a high value product.
Until recently our glass went into separate containers, by colour, at a 'bring site' and recycled into new glass products. We now have a kerbside collection and, as everything is co-mingled, the glass is turned into aggregate for construction (as suggested), as it can't be separated for recycling.
I wonder how the maths works out, in terms of CO2e, for the two alternatives...
Melting down existing glass requires less energy than making virgin glass, and reduces the need for raw materials. People often drove to the 'bring sites', sometimes making a special journey, but the glass wouldn't require mechanical separating from other items for recycling.
Kerbside glass collection only requires one vehicle, and probably increases the ammount recycled, it reduces the need for aggregates (though I'm sure there is plenty of building rubble to 'dispose' of!), but the glass requires crushing.
I have been trying to find someone who wants to build the "kinetic processer" that can convert glass into mortar. The same processor can be used to make fertilizer locally and other materials...............
I'm working on a project similar to what you would like to see in your post.
I will let you know when it's done.
Cheers.
Carlos from alquiler departamentos pinamar