Lasinkierrätys

Lasinkierrätys, or glass recycling, is the process of collecting and reprocessing discarded glass into new products. This practice is environmentally beneficial as it reduces the need for raw materials, conserves energy, and decreases landfill waste.

In Finland, lasinkierrätys is a well-established system. Consumers typically separate glass waste into different color categories, primarily clear and colored (often green and brown). This separation is crucial because different colors of glass have distinct chemical compositions and melting points, making it difficult to mix them without affecting the quality of the recycled product.

Glass is collected through designated collection points, often found in supermarkets or recycling centers. Once collected, the glass is transported to processing facilities. Here, it undergoes cleaning to remove any contaminants like lids, labels, or ceramics. After cleaning, the glass is crushed into small pieces called cullet.

This cullet then serves as a primary raw material for producing new glass products, such as bottles, jars, and even certain types of insulation or abrasive materials. Using cullet in the manufacturing process significantly reduces the amount of energy required compared to using virgin raw materials like sand, soda ash, and limestone. For every ten percent of cullet used, energy savings of approximately two to three percent can be achieved. This also lowers greenhouse gas emissions associated with glass production.