Feature: Innovative Recycling Of Windshield Glass

Keeping Auto Glass Out of the Landfill

This article may contain affiliate links

For decades, broken or damaged car windshields have ended up in the landfill, taking up space. With today’s technology and more responsible environmental policies, millions of windshields are now being recycled and used to make a variety of products.

Many people have asked whether windshield glass can be recycled, and the short answer is yes. There is a more involved process than with other types of glass, but windshield glass can be turned into items like bottles, art supplies and tiling.

Glass repair shops like Vanisleglass.com can help you replace your windshield and ensure that your old one is appropriately and ethically recycled. In the past decade, many companies have become dedicated to expanding their sustainable practices, ensuring that your damaged windshield gets a second life.

What Makes Windshield Glass Different?

Windshield glass is also referred to as safety glass. The reason for this is that in a vehicle, it protects you from injury during an accident. Windshield glass is five times stronger than other types of glass. It acts as a strengthening component for the structure of your car, so it needs to be durable.

When your car is involved in a crash, your windshield is designed to remain in one piece and resist shattering. It can make a powerful impact before breaking, giving you and your family protection in case of an emergency.

Windshield glass can hold itself together even when broken. A thin plastic film in between the layers of glass allows it to break without flying apart. The broken fragments remain held together by the plastic barrier instead of flying around your car. It is this plastic layer of protection that makes windshield glass different from other types of glass.

What Is The Recycling Process?

The process of recycling a windshield is more involved than other glass recycling. The damaged windshield must first be broken down and then separated from the layers of plastic protection film. Once this process is complete, the glass fragments can be broken down further using a grinder. This glass dust can be used to make a variety of different glass products.

What Products Can Be Made From Old Windshields?

Glass is one of the most versatile recycled materials in the world. Old or damaged windshields can be turned into a wide variety of eco-friendly products. Any glass bottles or containers can be created by recycled windshield glass. Many people in the arts and crafts world also use recycled glass in their art installations. Tile companies often use recycled glass as part of the mixture to make their products, adding strength and texture.

Where Can I Get My Windshield Recycled?

Your local glass repair shop may take your old windshield as part of their repair service and slate it for recycling through a private dealer. You can also call your local municipal recycling center to find out what dealers in your area handle windshield glass recycling.

It’s more important than ever to find ways to repurpose and reuse our glass products, including windshields. Thanks to the advancement of technology and the growing environmental movement, more windshields are being recycled and staying out of landfills.