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Glass

Glass is an integral part of any recycling program.

Glass Pulverizer Update - Jan-07139 KB

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It can take a million years for a glass bottle to break down in a landfill. Recycling glass, however, can be done endlessly, and it is a perpetual gift to the environment. Recycling just one glass bottle saves enough energy to power a washing machine for ten minutes, a television for 15 minutes, a computer for 20 minutes or run a light bulb for almost an hour. The glass recycling process is a closed-loop system, creating no additional waste or by-products. One of the most exciting aspects of recycling glass waste is the limitless potential for end uses in Montana. Most markets for post consumer glass are a great distance from Montana resulting in transportation costs that impede recycling. In response to these higher costs, there is a new push to increase glass recycling for Montana using a high quality mobile pulverization system that produces a glass cullet with no fractured edges (can be safely handled without concern of cuts or abrasions). The cullet resembles natural aggregates (fine sand or gravel) and can replace stone in many applications.

The mobile glass pulverizer will assist to meet the challenges of recycling glass in Montana. Through the development of partnerships that result in a glass processing service for local end uses like those listed below.

Pulverizer
The pulverizer is mounted on a trailer with its own generator that is powered by biodiesel. The pulverizer produces 3/8” and 1/8” minus cullet (reduced glass to resemble gravel or fine sand that is a uniform size of either 3/8 inch or 1/8 inch in size) that can be marketed for a variety of applications. This ability for glass cullet to resemble aggregate (fine sand or gravel) properties has opened many doors for local Montana communities to find uses. Below are some of the potential uses of this versatile product in area communities:

Glass cullet in sports turf and related applications
The market potential for use of glass cullet especially the 1/8” minus (fine sand) on golf courses, is large. It aids in bunker stability by forming an abrasive dry layer on the land surface, thereby creating conditions that can deter earthworms. Inter-particle friction is relatively high making glass sand less susceptible to p article interpacking and compaction than rounded natural sands. It also improves drainage. A golf course in Helena is looking at the use of the 1/8” minus cullet as replacement sand for their tees and bunkers.

Glass cullet as a fluxing agent in brick manufacturing
In brick manufacturing, the principal raw material is clay supplemented with other materials such as sand, stains and other minerals. Recent research suggests that brick firing temperatures can be reduced by up to 100 degrees Celsius when glass is added at a rate of 10 percent by weight to the clay mix. This savings in energy has helped a company in Three Forks to explore the use of glass cullet in its manufacturing process.

Glass cullet as a granular base material
Pulverized and screened glass cullet can be used as a granular base material. Recent studies of glass aggregate properties suggest that properly processed waste glass is well suited for use as a granular base material.

rings with glass

The Northern Plains Resource Council, located in Billings, has placed the cullet in their new green building parking lot, using the pave2 www.invisiblestructures.com recycled pad as the base with the glass cullet as the filler.





Glass cullet use in septic tank drain fields

Septic Install
Sand filters are part of a non-proprietary anaerobic septic treatment system in which the sand acts as a mechanical and biological filter. Research suggests that using crushed recycled glass in place of sand may lower construction costs and improve the overall performance of the treatment system. An engineer for a new subdivision in the Helena area has replaced the sand and gravel used in the sand filter septic treatment system with the glass cullet.

Glass cullet as landscaping material
The pulverizer’s processing method, which removes sharp edges of recycled glass to produce a safe alternative to gravel, sand and other landscape materials, has allowed glass cullet to become a high-profile design element. From rooftop gardens and pathways to hotel lobbies and private homes, cullet is replacing gray river rock with a splash of color. The Helena YMCA has used the glass cullet for the paths around their community gardens.

Propane tank with glass

The options available for properly processed glass cullet are varied and constantly expanding. Uses for the cullet are endless, limited only by imagination. Cullet has a viable place in the market by reducing the consumption of traditional materials and providing savings in material expenditures.

Glass can be reused again or it can become part of Montana’s trash pile. It depends on the consumer to decide what to do with their empty bottle; it is a simple decision. TOSS it, or RECYCLE it. To find out if glass recycling is available in your area please click on our "Where to Recycle in Montana" page to find a location near you.