The question of environmental impact has become a big topic of conversation lately. As the climate continues to change and we see increasing impacts from warming temperatures, everyone is asking themselves – how can I do my part?
In the auto glass industry, we are no different. All-West Glass is always striving to have a better and more environmentally friendly impact on the world.
How do we do that? How is the automotive glass industry making a difference? You can read on to find out more about glass recycling and how our industry is adapting.
Glass Recycling – Why It’s Great
Glass is a fantastic material for recycling. It can essentially be endlessly recycled without any loss of quality or purity. It is also easier and cheaper to recycle existing glass than it is to manufacture new glass due to the energy involved in melting the raw materials to create that new glass.
In theory, it is possible to save as much as 30% energy use when recycling glass. Every 1000 kg of waste glass that is recycled saves 315 kg of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere over manufacturing new glass. That’s a lot of savings!
How Eco-Friendly is Auto Glass?
The automotive industry has been at the forefront of adopting greener and more eco-friendly practices, and this shift also extends to the automotive glass industry. Here are a few eco-friendly trends that the auto glass industry has been focusing on lately.
Recycling and Reusing
By recycling old windshields and reusing the materials, we reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, decrease the demand for the manufacture of new glass, and help preserve natural resources. All of this minimizes the energy use and emissions that are associated with auto glass overall.
Sustainable Manufacturing
Modern auto glass producers are rapidly adopting more eco-friendly manufacturing techniques and processes. Many of them are working to reduce the overall environmental impact of their manufacturing processes and implement more energy-efficient production while using more environmentally friendly materials.
What Options Exist for Recycling Glass?
Options for recycling glass can vary depending on a lot of factors, such as where you live and what items you are recycling. Many cities and towns will have some sort of regular glass pick up alongside their curbside waste collection services, but this tends to be limited to household objects. And if you live more rural, you might not have that option.
However, for larger objects, the local curbside service won’t suffice. In that case, you should find a local recycling depot that will take it. Many cities will have multiple options for auto glass recycling.
Learn More About Auto Glass
All-West Glass is a leader in the automotive glass industry. With locations all over western Canada, we are well-situated to ensure that you get the quality auto glass you need.
If you’re interested in learning more about how we are contributing to a greener world, you can give us a call. We look forward to chatting with you.