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One of the widespread misconceptions in curbside recycling is that each one glass is handled the identical so you’ll be able to recycle glass cups, mild bulbs, and home windows alongside along with your bottles and jars. Believe it or not, your recycling firm doesn’t need these things — and never simply because they’re doubtless damaged.
Windows are an instance of handled glass, they usually’re rather more troublesome to interrupt than a glass bottle. Glass producers use totally different processes and supplies to make container glass (bottles and jars) and handled glass. Treated glass is strengthened with chemical compounds to make it stronger and fewer more likely to break.
The course of for recycling glass entails melting it in a furnace. Treated glass requires a a lot greater temperature to soften, so if window glass will get combined in with container glass, it contaminates your entire recycling batch with chemical compounds that forestall use as recycled containers. While home windows may very well be recycled if all the glass being recycled have been handled glass, home windows are disposed of occasionally sufficient — exterior of huge constructing demolition initiatives — that almost all recycling amenities aren’t arrange for it.
If you’re fascinated about changing your home windows, you’ll be able to anticipate to pay between $19,000 and $35,000 for a mean 2,450-square-foot residence, according to Consumer Reports. When you recycle, a part of the affect of your new home windows might be offset when the outdated supplies are reused.
Reuse Windows When You Can
If you’ve got home windows which might be nonetheless in a single piece, attempt to donate them for reuse. One possibility is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. ReStores settle for and resell all types of building supplies, and your native retailer could settle for home windows. Stores usually tend to settle for your home windows in the event that they’re newer and energy-efficient, as prospects will need such home windows for brand new purposes.
Old home windows are a wonderful materials for a wide range of DIY initiatives — significantly in case your window’s body is undamaged. You can make bulletin boards, jewelry organizers, or even a headboard.
Window Recycling Options
In the recycling business, home windows are labeled as building and demolition (C&D) waste. The U.S. generates more than 600 million tons of C&D waste per 12 months (greater than twice the amount of our packaging waste), so many states have stepped as much as handle this situation by offering lists of C&D recyclers.
For occasion, CalRecycle maintains an inventory for the state of California. You can contact your state stable waste company to see if they will refer you to an organization that accepts home windows for recycling.
Beyond Recycling
You could possibly improve your outdated home windows, the choices are increasing with know-how.
An organization known as SolarWindow goes one step additional: It permits you to flip your home windows into photo voltaic panels. The U.S.-based firm provides a spray-on technology for any glass floor that enables it to generate renewable photo voltaic power, and claims that the know-how achieves payback inside one 12 months in power financial savings (in comparison with 5 to seven years for conventional photo voltaic panels).
The largest catch with regards to home windows is that you just’ll almost certainly need to recycle them when they’re damaged, and that’s after they have the least worth within the recycling market. The harm dangers of transporting damaged glass negate many of the worth within the materials, so in the event you’re planning a home transform, ensure that the outdated home windows keep intact.
Editor’s Note: This article was initially printed on June 27, 2018 and up to date in July 2024.
