Lasinkeräys

Lasinkeräys, or glass collection, is a common waste management practice in many countries, particularly in Finland where the term is frequently used. The primary goal of lasinkeräys is to separate glass packaging from other household waste streams for recycling. This process typically involves collecting glass bottles and jars that have been emptied of their contents.

The collected glass is then transported to processing facilities. Here, it undergoes cleaning to remove labels and caps, followed by crushing into a material called cullet. Cullet is a valuable raw material for the glass industry, as it can be melted down and reformed into new glass products, significantly reducing the need for virgin raw materials like sand, soda ash, and limestone.

The benefits of lasinkeräys are numerous. It conserves natural resources by reducing the extraction of raw materials. It also saves energy, as melting cullet requires less energy than melting raw materials from scratch. Furthermore, recycling glass reduces landfill waste, contributing to a more sustainable waste management system and a circular economy. Most municipalities provide designated collection points or kerbside collection services for glass.