Unlocking the ABCs of glass recycling

The Glass Recycling Company highlighted recycling is more than just tossing bottles into a bin.

It is a complex process that involves a multitude of terms and concepts. From A to Z, understanding these terms is crucial in appreciating the significance of glass recycling in South Africa.

The company provided important words to learn as you grow in your glass recycling journey.

A – Amber glass: A tinted glass made by using different mixtures of sulphur and iron oxide. Amber glass is a variation of a brownish hue, often associated with beer bottles.

B – Bin storage: A large container or enclosed space for storing something in bulk, such as assorted glass bottles, plastics, or papers.

C – Cullet: This crushed or broken glass is used as a raw material after cleaning and processing in manufacturing new glass products. In South Africa, the ideal cullet size is not smaller than an R5 coin.

D – Disposal is the action or process of getting rid of waste.

E – EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) is a policy approach, that makes manufacturers and producers responsible for recycling and disposing of their product packaging, including glass. It is now mandatory for all producers of paper and packaging, including glass in South Africa.

F – Flint glass is clear and often used in tableware and glass bottles.

G – Glass banks are designated containers or collection points, enabling consumers to deposit glass packaging waste for recycling.

H – Hazardous waste is waste with properties that make it dangerous or capable of harming human health or the environment, such as water pollution or paint containers.

I – Industrial waste is waste generated by manufacturing or industrial processes. The types of industrial waste generated include scrap metals, trash, oil, solvents, chemicals, weed grass and trees, wood and scrap lumber, and similar wastes.

J – Jar is a wide-mouthed cylindrical container made of glass and typically having a lid, used especially for storing food.

K – Knowledge sharing is an activity through which knowledge is exchanged among people, businesses, or communities. A significant part of the Glass Recycling Company’s work is educating communities about glass recycling.

L – Landfill are designated areas for waste disposal, where waste is buried.

M – Mandatory Separation at Source is a scheme mandating the public to separate recyclables for waste collection, a primary solution for increasing glass collection rates.

N – Non-recyclables are materials that cannot be recycled, due to composition, contamination, or lack of recycling infrastructure.

O – Organic waste is biodegradable waste like food scraps and garden waste that can be composted or used for energy generation.

P – PRO (Producer Responsibility Organisation) are collective nationally operating bodies that provide compliance with the legislative requirements and EPR policy of producers on their behalf. PROs also ensure recovery and recycling targets, educate on waste prevention, verify the data and report to national authorities accordingly. The Glass Recycling Company is the PRO for glass packaging in South Africa.

Q – Quality glass is 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without loss in quality or purity.

R – Reusable glass containers, like large beer bottles, can be reused after sterilisation.

S – Silica sand is a raw material in glass manufacturing. Silica is one of the most common minerals in the earth’s crust. Glass, beach sand, silicone, and granite are all silica materials.

T – Trash is non-recyclable waste materials, sent to landfills or incinerators.

U – Upcycling transforms waste materials into new, higher-value items.

V – Volume reduction is processing waste materials to decrease the amount of space they occupy, usually by compacting, shredding, incineration, separating or composting.

W – Waste is materials no longer useful that are discarded or recycled.

X – Xtra care: By recycling glass, you are taking extra care of the environment.

Y – Yard waste include organic waste materials from yards and gardens, like grass clippings and leaves.

Z – Zero waste is a philosophy aiming to minimise waste generation and maximise resource efficiency through recycling and sustainable practices.

Understanding these terms empowers us to make informed choices and contribute to a sustainable future through responsible glass recycling.

Let’s make each letter count on our journey towards a greener, more sustainable South Africa.

Also Read: Actonville school trumps 53 others in recycling contest

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