Tips to safely manage broken glass waste disposal

When it comes to handling the broken glass, it can be tricky. Many people often wonder if the broken glass can be put into the recycling bin.

Although a common household hazard, in efficient broken glass waste disposal can lead to serious injuries if not handled properly. Whether it's a shattered dish, a broken window, or a shattered light bulb, it's essential to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of yourself, your family, and your pets.

Glass comes in different forms and hence broken glass waste disposal is a quite cumbersome process. Also, different states have different rules for managing the glass waste which should also be considered. Professional service like ClearEarth Recycling is a good approach to efficiently handle the recycling process of broken glass in a clean and economic way.

Dangers of Improper Glass disposal

Handling broken glass can be quite difficult. Improper broken glass waste disposal can lead to:

• Health Issues: Broken glass possesses sharp edges which can cause severe cuts and injuries if not handled properly. Also, if the wounds from some mishap is not medically treated it can often lead to infections and other related health issues.
• Environmental Issues: It can prove to a great environmental hazard as glass takes centuries to decompose thus polluting the environment. Also, the shards are quite dangerous and poses a serious threat to the animals who can accidentally ingest them or get wounded by them.

Different types of broken glass have different solutions

There are different types of glass found around us and each have different set of recycling mechanism which makes it difficult to handle them.

Window Glass

They are common in homes, offices and neighborhood and are generally quite thin and fragile. They are prone to breaking and can shatter into large pieces. Due to the differing chemical composition, they are difficult to recycle.

Container Glass

The term is used for used bottles, jars, containers. They are pretty durable and are acceptable at most recycling units. Although when dropped, they can break into dangerous shards.

Mirrors

Mirrors usually come with coatings that make the recycling process a difficult one.

Pyrex and Heat-resistant Glass

They are noy suitable for recycling process due to the different melting points.

Tempered Glass

They are usually found in shower doors or car windows; they break into smaller bits thus needing a professional handling to reduce any cases of injury.

Laminated Glass

They can be found in windshields or other types of security glass. The disposal is different from other types of glasses as they usually come with a plastic layer that holds the glass together.

Steps to follow to Safely dispose the broken glass at home

A very common everyday occurrence at several households, proper broken glass waste disposal is crucial for all the people involved.

Safety is the priority: Wear protective gear

Before commencing the cleaning process, it is very essential to protect ourselves from the potential cuts and injuries. Following the mentioned steps ensures you are protected from the sharp edges:

• Wear Gloves: Use thick rubber or latex gloves in order to avoid any potential cuts of injuries.
•  Wear closed-toe shoes: Wearing closed toe-shoes ensures that your feet are safe from the sharp shards of the glass.
• Keep children and pets away: Always ensure to maintain a healthy distance before cleaning.

Clean up the mess

• Pick up your supplies: It is better to arm up before striding in. Gathering supplies like broom, dustpan, newspapers, containers, tape and trash bag is needed.
• Sweep up the big pieces: big pieces can easily be cleaned with the help of a sturdy broom and dustpan.
• Manage the small shards: Picking up small shards can be a tricky business. Using a damp towel around your hand and pressing lighting on the surface can do the job and get rid of those pesky pieces.
• Vacuum the area: last but not the least, the whole area needs to be vacuumed in order to ensure that it is safe to use.

Handling the broken glass waste in the right way

• The broken glass pieces should be wrapped in newspaper or waste paper towels in order to prevent cutting.
• The wrapped pieces can be placed in separate cardboard or box and should be labeled.
• Place the container in the recycling bin or can be taken to the recycling unit.

Additional Tips for Specific Situations

• Broken light bulbs: Handle them with extra care as they may contain mercury. Seal them in a plastic bag before disposing of them.  
• Broken thermometers: Mercury can be harmful if inhaled or ingested. Follow local guidelines for disposing of mercury-containing items.
• Broken windows: If the window is large or shattered into many pieces, it's best to call a professional window repair service.

For the other types of glass that cannot be recycled at home, like tempered or laminated glass, it is unarguably the best decision to consult professional waste disposal services like ClearEarth Recycling who masters in handling any kind of industrial or household broken glass waste disposal efficiently. The experienced staff ensures that glass is either recycled or disposed of in the most ethical and responsible manner so as to minimize the environmental impact.