Question: If I can recycle glass bottles and jars, why can't I recycle other glass such as plates, drinking glasses, mirrors, baking dishes, etc. It's all glass, isn't it?
Answer: First of all, it is important to recycle glass bottles and jars because that glass is 100 percent recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without any loss in purity or quality.
Glass manufacturers require high-quality recycled container glass to meet market demands for new glass containers. Cullet, or recycled glass, includes sand, soda ash and limestone. The more cullet that is used, the greater the reduction in energy use. Raw materials are conservedby utilizing recycled glass.
Ovenware, drinking glasses, incandescent light bulbs, windows, windshields and mirrors contain materials like lead and plastic that cannot be mixed with container glass. These additives are considered contaminants and require special, expensive equipment to remove them. Glass ovenware is a more durable glass that won't melt at the same temperature as typical bottles and jars. It will cause "stones" that will make the soda lime glass break.
Other glass such as plate glass, mirrors and windshields contain materials that can also cause expensive damage to the recycling equipment.
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