Research Paper on Recycled Glass

Introduction

Today, many people are incorporating recycled glass in their home improvement projects and their remodeling plans. It is becoming an enormous concern to some developing nations especially in the urban regions hence, increasing its demands day by day. Glass is a durable material that can be harnessed and recycled to bring a unique design that is environmentally friendly. Most communities and other construction site companies are adopting the curbside recycling programs hence reducing the local landfills. As a result, recycled glass has found its use in beverage containers, storage bottles, fiberglass materials, insulation, and tiles. The paper, therefore, exemplifies recycled glass as the main product, its history, sustainability and its examples of use within the design field.

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History

Glass occurs naturally as volcanic deposits and fulgurites contrived from silica sand and a combination of other components. Its evolution is traced back to 50AD which are over 3500 years back where the Romans used the mouth-blowing system in forming complex shapes. This technique converted the multi-colored transparent glass into lots of shapes and sizes (Hughes 234). Though it yielded small quantities of it, the Romans used this in their churches by staining their window panes. During ancient civilizations, Europe benefited from the Italians by using the glass from the conquered villagers and re-using it for their own settlements. This became necessary for them especially during the famine, war or times of diseases. Later, the Americans back in the 1990s involved the single-stream recycling system which involved combining all recyclable items such as paper, plastics, metals, and glass in a collection truck and handed separately. Though the system handled the fully commingled mixture of recyclables, it had a drawback when recycling glass. In the recent years, this has been improving as an observation made showed that today there are over 1000 modern chemical formulae being used in the glass manufacturing industry to meet the demand for recycled glass. The modern period of glass has brought forth the superb skyscrapers that have redefined the skyline. It has brought about cladding of glass that has fulfilled a functional requirement of lighting and retention of heat which significantly saves energy.

Uses of Recycled Glass

Certainly, glass is an incredibly versatile material that is able to be recycled into various forms of products that are useful. Large machinery is involved in reducing the broken glasses into granules whereby its uses depends on the size of the crushed granules. In the construction industry, recycled glass has found use in various ways especially in the interior design. According to Arslan, "the nature of glass which entails its visual appeal, interplay with light, a sense of openness and harmonious integration with the environment, facilitates interesting and creative uses both in the interior and exterior of any building" (403). Recycled glasses have been incorporated into structural elements thus increasing lighting and enhancing structure appearance due to their load bearing components. Compared to cement, concrete, and steel, glass is more superior, economical and sustainable hence can be formulated in both translucent and transparent forms.

Examples of Use

There are various examples that have been of use in the design field by use of recycled glass. One example is recycled glass countertops which brings a unique and beautiful appearance that goes well in homes (Lefteri 117). It comes with a variety of designs which can make a home to look very modern, contemporary, antique and even traditional. Countertops feature pieces of glass held together with a cement binder. Their unique and beautiful design are chosen by lots of homeowners so as they can create a customized look in their kitchen and bathroom. These Countertops for bathrooms and kitchen are installed along with tiles and backsplashes hence bringing a fashionable design to homeowners.

Recycled glass enhances interior by creating trendy furniture. In furniture, recycled glass is incorporated into "glass tops for tables like dining, coffee or occasional tables, bars and consoles, glass shelving for cabinets, glass headrests for beds among many others" (Lefteri 215). When other materials such as wood, leather, and metal are paired together with recycled glass, they enhance the style quotient of the furniture hence creating a modern look.

Over the past ages, glasses have been used in doors and in windows and in today's modern context; recycled glass has become a myriad way of fenestrations. Today, windows, skylights, ventilators, and doors are being dressed in various types of recycled glass. Full length and breadth of glass windows and doors enhance the interior and many prefer recycled glass as they are resistant to ultraviolet rays (Reindl 114). Recycled glass is also used in buildings as an exterior sheathing and facades which creates a striking door and window that partition the room. As a result, they make sure there is privacy and the room is stylish as it lets light to pass through. Recycled screen glass and cubicle glass segregate the room effectively especially in bathroom hence enhancing the interior by opening up space and making it look trendy.

Recycled glasses are stylish in staircases and there are various ways one can incorporate it in staircases. One can opt to pair it with wooden banisters and railings or with the railing that is paired with trendy recycled glass banisters. Also, one can improve part of staircases using stained glass panels into the risers and banisters and completing the rest partly with plain wood or other material. Blocks of recycled glass that are backlit when used at the door entrance can make the staircases to look stunning (Lefteri 176). Additionally, recycled glass is finding use in floors hence bringing a stylish interior, especially when paired with other flooring materials. Recycled glass creates an underwater effect or flowing stream effect when incorporated with ribbon glass flooring and backlit glass flooring making the room beneath the feet to look compelling. Bathroom and kitchen sinks are using the recycled glass hence bringing an elegant look in the room. Recycled artifacts and decor of glasses are being used comprehensively in the interior especially in candle holders, lamp shades and in wall cladding. Therefore with no doubt, recycled glass has found use in interior design due to its feature and other considerable qualities.

Sustainability

A glass is a recyclable material that is sustainable since it provides great environmental benefits. It is not limited to a certain class of people as anyone can participate in the initiative of recycling to assist in quenching the quest for sustainable living that can lower impacts of it in the environment. Most communities have started programs and collection centers for glass recycling that can encourage the whole population to participate in the event (Hayles 104). Such participation empowers minds of individuals with a green consciousness environment which as a result promote the growth of sustainability among the population. Glass recycling helps in saving the natural resources that have been used in making the glass. By using raw materials such as cullet which entails the glass waste, it helps to save energy since it melts at low temperature compared to other natural resources used. It is sustainable in safeguarding the health and well-being of people. This is because the architectures are able to create a natural light into the building by using the recycled gasses which as a result enhances living and working conditions of the occupants thus improving the health conditions and well being of individuals.

In the construction industry, recycled glass is reducing some natural materials that are being depleted by excessive quarrying hence as a result of saving the environment and protecting the drastic changes in climate that results from glass manufacturing. Also, recycled glass offers economic sustainability by reducing the cost that could have been used to import raw materials for making the glasses. The process of recycling not only eliminates the contaminants of glasses in the environment but also creates a livelihood for some individuals (Hayles 108). This is because glass recycling involves the collection, sorting and reprocessing which significantly create jobs for the local people. From sales, the recycled glasses are able to generate revenue that reduces the budget for buying new raw materials for making glass.

Recycled glasses are not only very durable and strong, but they also create a unique creation in homes. It is not prone to chipping or cracking and its different colors and pieces of different sizes bring a custom look in homes. Therefore, recycled glasses are significant to our homes and to our environment since they keep waste glass out of landfills.

Work Cited

Arslan, Hakan. "Using Recycled Glass For Interior Design." Building and Environment 42.1 (2017): 400-406. https://www.doityourself.com/stry/using-recycled-glass-for-interior-design

Hayles, Carolyn S. "Environmentally sustainable interior design: A snapshot of the current supply of and demand for green, sustainable or Fair Trade products for interior design practice." International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment 4.1 (2015): 100-108.

Hughes, Charles S. Feasibility of using recycled glass in asphalt. No. VTRC 90-R3. Virginia Transportation Research Council, 2012.

Lefteri, Chris. "Glass in interiors: Glass used in different ways in interior design." RotoVision, 2014. http://www.prismma.in/glass-in-interiors-glass-used-in-different-ways-in-interior-design/

Reindl, J. "Reuse/recycling of glass cullet for non-container uses. 2013." Department of Public Works: Madison, WI.