Humans have been using glass for 5000 years – since the Phonecians.
Glass bottles and jars are 100% recyclable and can be recycled hundreds of times. Making new glass products from recycled glass takes 74% less energy than from raw materials.
Glass collected for recycling in Western Australia is sent to South Australia where it is melted down and "blown" into another bottle.
Worth Doing
Glass is easily contaminated which makes recycling difficult or even impossible. Don’t put ovenproof or light globe glass in with recyclable glass containers.
Glass can be recycled through local kerbside recycling collection programs (but not including oven-proof, window or light globe glass).
Remember to rinse the jar and remove the lid.
If you have large amounts of glass, our free Recycle @ Work hotline service can help you find a glass recycler to suit your business. Or you an check out our current list of glass recycling contacts.
If your business only has a very small amount of glass you might like to consider these options:
Gather the glass safely and separately from other rubbish then take it to your closest drop-off centre. Call our hotline on 1800 819 000 for location information.
Keep an eye out for other businesses near you who may already have a glass collection service that they would be happy for you to participate in. (In most cases these services charge for each collection, not the amount of waste, so they won’t have to pay any more if you have added a little to a less-than-full load).
If there is no facility for collecting glass in your area, contact your local council for more information or to make a request that a service be provided.
For more information contact the
Recycle @ Work Hotline on 1800 819 000.
