this post was submitted on 23 Mar 2025
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The problem isn’t just recycling; it’s consumption. Also, aluminum still holds some value. What else is worth recycling?
Glass
Glass used to be washed and reused. It's a lot more energy (and therefore greenhouse gases) to melt and reform into whatever.
Supply for high quality white sand used for almost all glass making will be exhausted in 2037, according to British Geologist Michael Welland.
There will be a point in the near future where recycling glass will be less expensive than sourcing high quality sand.